He is Risen!

Mom and our Georgie

Wow! Easter is here! Yesterday was full of celebrating as a family. Each holiday when our family comes together it is a day of love and fellowship. I love these days. Easter has always been special day for our family. We have always gathered to share a meal and to have a big Easter egg hunt for the children. Each generation growing older and a new generation is being born. It warms my heart because students this is what life is about. It is about sharing time and meals with each other. Sharing the bond of kinship. Looking at the DNA as it flows into the future. It is so good to have a loving family. It is a treasure. It is a gift from above.

Last night we attended the Easter vigil. It was beautiful. We had many added to our flock. It felt so good to literally watch The light of Christ grow. The Alley pew is becoming crowded. For this I am so grateful. I was able to journey alongside with the neophytes and sponsor to special daughters: Carlin and Kerrie. Presenting them my voice quivered with happiness. Listening to my daughter sing in the choir loft helped the tears to flow. Tears of happiness. My cup continues to overflow more and more with each season passing.

There were so many happy moments yesterday I can't tell you all of them. My mother holding my grandson and his reaction to her was miraculous. Our little George is still waking to his new world at 2 months old. When placed on my eighty-year-old mother's lap, he came alive singing and talking to her. I thank God for moments like this. These are the little pieces of light He puts into my life. You see she has Alzheimer's, but the spirit of God is stronger. It gives us these little twinkles. Watching the children squeal and hunt for Easter eggs was so endearing. To watch my nieces, nephews, and children lead their children along the bunny trail as they once did themselves made me so, so happy. Let's not forget about the great food either. My sweet son Ben helped me to enjoy the barbecue with all the trimmings. My grand girls proudly hanging with their Gram. They love me contraptions and all. These are just a few of the many, many blessings of the day.

Students I promised 40 days of blogs and as my mother taught me you have to follow through. Lent has ceased but Easter reigns. Our celebrations have just only begun. They will continue on in Easter fashion until the Ascension of our Lord which is 39 days after Easter. So back row, I will get the 40 days was Sal completed! Remember also Easter is to be celebrated every day of your life. Our homework today is to rejoice in this day that our Lord has made! Happy, Happy Easter!

Sal the Easter loving Gal

Sarah Anderson Alley

Quotes of the day:

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.

Saint Pope John Paul II

"No matter how scared or sinful I am, I am continually called. I look up at Jesus, and I tremble. This Man is much too Good for me. His promises are too Good. And I am much too bad. But still He points to His Wounds and says, "For you." Still He holds out His Hand, wounded for my greed, and invites me in. To a simple life. To a life where He is my Love and I am His Beloved. He calls me, and I cannot resist forever. He is much too Good for me and Good to me, to the point of tears. But He created my heart for Him. And I cannot resist forever."

Abbey Alley