The Last Things

Me, sister, Shan, & Diane

In my mind today, I'm thinking of the thing that happens to all life on earth. Obligations and time seem to keep me too busy to stop and contemplate these last things. I'm so busy like most of you checking off my list and busy living. The last things don't scare me as they once did. I have accepted it.

Last Saturday, I had a dear friend and "cuz" visit that I hadn't seen in person for two decades. After high school, life happened and our paths only crossed once in 31 years. She and her mother always had and still have such big hearts. Here's an example. Most know in high school I played basketball and was pretty good. Each year there is a homecoming game. In high school every girl dreams of being homecoming queen. Not Sal. As reality hit me about the costs of such things, dresses in particular, I dreaded being nominated for the court. Why? My family couldn't afford a dress. So my mother would reach out to people she worked with at the hospital and we would find a formal to borrow. We pulled it off but my senior year was harder financially than most years. You see, my mother had to take a leave of absence from her job at the hospital. Her mother, my grandmother, was dying of cancer. My mother moved her in with us to care for her until she started her chapter in heaven. My eyes are leaking again as I visit this time. Her connections at the hospital were not there as they had been. I knew this year would be the most humbling. My dear "cuz" and her mom loaned me a beautiful white dress. I never dreamed of being homecoming queen but at least I would have a beautiful dress to wear. I always remember this kindness in such a hard time in my life.

This past weekend my "cuz" and her mother paid me a visit. She and her mother love Christmas and decorating more than I do and that's a lot! Since ALS, I've depended on my son and fiancé to help. They are now married, working, creating their own nest so this year was to be simple. I tried not to think of it and mourn my illness. Then, a message appeared from my sweet sister telling me Shan aka "cuz" and her mom wanted to bless me once again. They rummaged through all of my Christmas decorations and created breathtaking trees and adorned my rooms downstairs. The best ornaments, the ones made by my children, were given places of precedence just as I would have done. These two beautiful hearts were the hands of Christ and heavenly sent once again.

Memory lane gets me every time students. Quit yawning back row. So back to the last things. Last night I was called on to teach the R.C.I.A. Class (Rites of Christian Incitation) because our priest is in Rome on vacation. Lucky him! The lesson was The Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven/Hell, & Purgatory.

Catholics have a plan and I'm so glad. We are often looked at like a three-eyed monster because some of our beliefs are odd especially in a small southern town with only one Catholic Church amongst 100 Protestant churches. I don't want to argue theology but I want to spread some light or knowledge about something we all have to face and how we Catholics view the last things. Neither you or I are the judge so quit squirming back row.

Purgatory is a place for those a part of God's family who die with sin. It's like Mr. Holmes explained in class last night. Think of a teenager who wrecks the family car. The parents are so relieved their child is okay. They do not disown them, but there is a price for the transgression. Probably no car privileges for a while, but eventually they get the right to drive the car. God loves us all. We are part of his family. We are His children. We are like children, too. We sin A LOT! I hear snickers from the back row. Sometimes death comes while we have wrecked the car. So, we go somewhere until our punishment is paid: purgatory. Once baptized you are one of the lucky ones. You are in the flock. The closer you live to Christ, the sooner you go to heaven. God wants us all there: EVERYONE. No exceptions. As one priest once used in a sermon "I'll take purgatory any death day because I will see God." It's coming. I wanna be there and I hope you do, too.

After braving the weather and coming home from teaching class last night I was tired, cold, hungry, and happy. I had been a nervous wreck but I felt the Class went well. I waited for Ken to warm up my supper and feed me. I clicked on Facebook with frozen fingers. The first thing I saw was that another comrade with ALS met death, Sarah. This Sarah is special to me. We share not only a name but we are both writers, mothers, wives, and advocates for a cure for ALS. She's one of my heroes. She is Wonder Woman and I'm just Super Girl. She's raised awareness and hundreds of thousands of dollars for a cure. Forget Mike. I wanna be like Sarah C. She is on to the last things and faced them so bravely. I'm going to continue to fight for a cure until until Death greets me.

Please say a prayer today for Sarah, her family, and a cure. Death be not proud because Sarah won. I want you to win, too. It's coming. Are you living with a heart of love? Are you on track for heaven? Do you bring joy and happiness to others like my "cuz" and her mom. I want to run a good race, but it takes practice. Stop groaning back row. Let's all remember the last things and start making a plan and training to meet the Ultimate Coach. You're going back row whether you like it or not. See you soon Sarah C. You're free.

Sarah Anderson Alley
Sal the Purgatory Loving Gal

Dedicated to Sarah C, R.C.I.A. Class, Shan and Diane

Quotes of the Day:
Please read about Sarah C

http://www.speed4sarah.com/sarah-is-old/

Night Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori

Jesus Christ, my God, I adore Thee and thank Thee for all the graces bestowed on me this day. I offer Thee my sleep and all
the moments of this night, and I beg Thee to keep me from sin. Therefore, I place myself
at Thy most sacred side and under the protecting mantle of our Lady, my Mother.
May the holy angels help me and keep me in peace, and may Thy blessing be upon me.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace in your loving arms.
Letting not the sun set on my wrath,
may I now close my eyes in peace with my God and my fellow men.
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Amen