The Greatest Gift

My kids and cousins waiting to Easter egg hunt 17 years ago

In my mind today, I am thinking of all of the blessings, yes blessings in our little corner of the world. We are in the middle of a pandemic. We have been isolated from family and friends. I was writing a friend this morning about my heart being filled with joy and it hit me that it has been almost three decades since I have physically missed Easter at our little parish.

Last night we watched via social media Easter Vigil Mass. My daughter, the priest, a parishioner, and the music director were the only physical people there. At the consecration of the Eucharist I felt it. It was the Holy Spirit flowing in to me. Amid the tragedy of this time, God is there. He has never left. He never will. Neither will we. God does not spurn a good, faithful heart. A heart that is pure in its love for God and his neighbor.

I've heard many upset about Easter being ruined. Easter can never be ruined. Yes, we miss our routines, church families, and freedom to flow through the cities as we please. I understand. I love people. I miss communion with my little town. Instead of thinking about what we've lost because of our situations, think of what was given. Time. It is the most precious commody.

Ken (Papa Smurf, Poppa Ratz, Dad) has not used all of his vacation for probably two decades. He has been given precious time at home with his family. We have enjoyed this sabbatical from the rat race. We have been given a wonderful gift.

My son who cares for me has not been to church in more than five years. Last night he watched the Easter Vigil Mass with us. God is working always working. Gifts.

I sat by my window and watched the rain so thankful. Amazed that birds were frolicking by the feeders and the squirrels were up to their antics. This filled my heart with hope. As I watched, I prayed for all of you who may come across this blog.

The pandemic has taken many earthly lives. This is such a tragic, grief-stricken times. That's what happens periodically: plague, colorea, polio, & Spanish flu. Death happens. Doing my ancestry, I discovered that my grandmother was an orphan of the Spanish flu. Her life was so hard, but the beauty and love of her posterity lives. Why plagues and pandemics? That's the question. Or is it? We are living history every day of our lives. Take notice and be in the moments of each and every day. It's so hard to do but this pandemic has given us time to do just that. That's why we say, "Call it all a gift." My friends enjoy this time. Happy Easter my friends today and every day. That is the Greatest Gift of all.

Sarah Anderson Alley

Sal the Heart-full Gal

Life never ends because love never does.