A Child of God

 All children are children of God, but Baptism leaves a spiritual mark of belonging to Christ. On Sunday, May 21, 2023, I was invited to a baptism of my friend's granddaughter. The ceremony took place at Holy Family Church in North Denver and I realized it had been a long time since I had been to a baptism. Before the ceremony, it took a few persons to dress the darling baby in a long, white, puffy gown. A white bonnet topped the outfit.

 

The priest carried a green book, Order of Baptism for Children. as he prepared for the ceremony. He explained everything he was doing during the baptism to the children which also let the adults learn along with the children! The baby was quiet and observing everything until mid-baptism and then she began to cry. Parents, Godmother, grandmother all helped in trying to quiet the little one with a pacifier, bottle of milk and a rattle!

After the ceremony we went to a gathering at the maternal grandparent's home and enjoyed a delicious, home-cooked Mexican meal. The decorations were little cutout dresses in pink and white that came from Mexico.

When I held the baby, I felt awkward and had a fear that I might drop the beautiful child. It really has been a long time since I held a baby in my arms!

A special day for the baby, the parents, her brother, the grandparents, family members and friends. A day she will not remember but will be able to see pictures, there were plenty taken, and know that those that loved her were present on her baptismal day!

"At Baptism, I received grace--that quality that makes

me share in the very nature of God."

Mother Angelica

A Miracle Seems to Have Happened

 On April 27, 2023, I received a call from my friend's husband. He informed me that my friend was in the emergency room and had bleeding in the brain. She could not talk and it looked like a serious stroke. Week after week I got an update and I kept hearing she was doing better each day. She went into rehab and I, and some of my friends, prayed for her. She also had members of her church praying for her. My thought was that it sounded so serious, that it would take months before she would recuperate so she could function.

On May 20, 2023, I was at another friend's home celebrating her granddaughter's high school graduation. There were many people that I did not know but when I looked and saw my friend who had just suffered something like a stroke, walking in with her husband I was pleasantly shocked! My heart leaped at seeing her and she looked the same as always. Slender, attractive, friendly and speaking just like old times. I told her that she had undergone a miracle. She agreed, and she said, "Now I need to find out what God wants me to do."

It was like getting a birthday present by having my friend show up at the party because it made me happy and thankful!

"Positive thoughts and prayer

have been the best means

available, since the beginning

of time, to transform 

darkness into light."

Cate Stevens

Last Night's Visitor

 My friend passed away on August 11, 1998. I blogged about him on August 4, 2012 and last night he visited me in a dream. He looked exactly the same, had the same smile and was as nice as I remember him. He was driving to Denver to see about buying a dog that was advertised for sale. It made sense because when he was alive he had two Puli's, Thunder and Lightning. I wondered if he would come by to show me the dog, if he decided to buy it. The dream took place in my hometown, and I watched as he pulled up in front of the house. 

Mom and Dad were discussing finances and I wondered if he was there to collect. There was no way my parents could pay him back. I tapped him on his chest and asked, "Are you here to collect the money?" He smiled and said, "No, so don't worry about it."

He returned to his home and I sat with him on a rocker. He had his arm around me, and I had a wonderful feeling of contentment, being in a safe place and filled with happiness that he was back!

I remember that soon after he had passed away I had a dream of an angel coming to visit me and the angel had his wings around me and I felt safe. I mentioned it to my daughter and she drew a picture of how she pictured my dream.

This was a special friend who I will never forget and I am happy he chose my birthday to visit me!

An Angel enfolds me within his wings

bringing me happiness, contentment, joy and peace.

My wish is that I always be hugged by this angel

who forever and a day is my friend

letting me know all is okay!

E. Moscoso

My Dancing Shoes

For about the ten past years I have not been dancing because there aren't any male partners that know how to dance. My dance partners are gone and are probably dancing in heaven! Last year, the Young At Heart Group of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community had a Senior Prom and everyone got all gussied up to attend the prom. There was a man at the prom by the name of Tom, who is no longer with us, and he was a great dancer! I had a wonderful time dancing with him and remembering how much fun I had dancing.

There was a time when I had partners to dance four or five times a week; ballroom, Country and Western, Latin, or Polka. This year, for the prom, I had no hope of dancing. The outfit I chose to wear is probably forty years old but is still in style, but I had no shoes to wear with it since my daily shoes are sneakers! I no longer wear heels, but I happen to remember my black dancing shoes stuck somewhere  in a box in my closet. I brought them out, dusted them, and even though they were not as comfortable as my tennis shoes, I wore my Capezios with my outfit.

It was fun seeing people and taking pictures until one lady said, "Come here, I want to introduce you to a friend who loves to dance. I told him about you and how you like to dance." A large man, at least 6'3" tall, dressed in black and wearing a Stetson told me how he enjoyed dancing, and he could do ballroom and country.

We danced a few pieces and I found it difficult to follow because of his height. How I missed wearing heels yet I did have fun. I also wondered if God had reminded me about my dancing shoes in the closet because He knew I would dance tonight!

My dance partner and I both agreed that the keyboard player was difficult to dance to because he is more of an entertainer and the music was hard to follow at times. My partner had no pity on me as he swung me fast and spun me around. A few times I felt dizzy, and he said, "Don't worry, I've got you!" I felt good that after so many years of not dancing, I was able to follow my partner. 

All I know is that he made my evening better and more fun!

"And those that were seen dancing, 

were thought to be insane 

by those who could not hear the music."

Friedrich Nietzsche

Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

Today, the title of this blog was right on for me! Friday night I decided that I would take the train to Denver Civic Center to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Then, this morning I turned on the television and the Coronation of King Charles was happening, and I decided to watch for a while and then continue with my original plan of going to Denver.

I became so wrapped up in watching the pageantry with all the pomp and circumstances of the Coronation, I did not feel like doing anything else. I enjoyed every minute of the exciting day beginning with the gold carriage with Charles and Camilla. Inside Westminster Abbey I couldn't get over the colors of gold, red, blue, purple, green, white, black, and yellow on feathers, fur, velvet, and medals! 

The crowds stood in the rain under umbrellas people seemed to go on forever. Many had hats, rain ponchos, umbrellas, and eyeglasses with the British flag. I noticed that the people looked happy and were smiling, though the King and Queen were stoic and not smiling. I liked watching all the people walking into Westminster Abbey but I felt sad for Harryas he walked by himself. I wondered if he felt bad about ending his royal duties.

The last coronation of the Queen was in 1953, 70 years ago. I do not remember it at all and I did hear it was televised in black and whites. Queen Elizabeth was the Queen throughout my life! As I looked at Charles and Camilla, they seemed old though it was announced that he is 74 and she is 75. I wondered if she would become Queen if Charles died but found out that the next in line is William followed by his daughter, Princess Charlotte.

I had no idea how religious the coronation would be as it proceeded with a mass, a Bible was given to the King and how he vowed to follow the teaching of the bible. "Word of God comes first above all!"  The Archbishop of Canterbury officiated in the service. Above the altar was a huge, that may have been a mosaic, picture of the Last Supper. The Epistle reading was Col 1:9-17 and read by the Prime Minister who is a person of color, Hindu, and not Christian. The Gospel was read by a woman, which seemed odd to me. Eight black singers sang a Capela the Alleluia, dressed in white and in a lively manner.

A three-sided screen was put around King Charles for a sacred moment as he was blessed in the sign of the cross with holy oil from Jerusalem; forehead, hands and heart. All robes were removed leaving the King in a white tunic and black slacks as a sign to return to a humble birth. He was then dressed in a golden robe.

When the heavy crown was placed on his head it was mentioned that it weighs around 4 pounds, 7 ounces with all the jewels and gold trim. The bells were ringing (though I did not hear them) and William, his son pledged allegiance to the King and gave him a kiss on the check. God save the King was pronounced by everyone. The British amaze me because I would have thought there would have been more interaction between father and son or tears of joy but there weren't any emotions shown.

The queen was also crowned after receiving a ring, but I am still upset about her part for making it difficult for Princess Diana and I couldn't help but think that Princess Diana should have been crowned queen! Of course, what do I know but what I read or see on television! I did hear that Queen Camilla has been accepted by the British and that she is an animal lover.

Some comments were, "be an advocate for those in need, not judgement but justice, rule fairly," The television announcers talked about King Charles who already was trying to be inclusive with other religions and different ethnic groups. The invitation for the coronation went out to people who were not aristocrats, and it is obvious that King Charles is changing how things have been done in the past.

I waited until the royal family came out to wave to the people and wished that Harry could have been there also. The flyby was by helicopters and nine planes shooting out red, white and blue smoke. After the family had gone back in side to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III gave a last wave before he also entered the building.

Viewer hear about a stone known as Jacob's pillow, five different swords that were used, and a 700 year old chair. We saw white horses with blue decorations pulling the gold carriage, riders in gold and red, weird helmets with black or gold tassels that looked like brushes, beautiful black horses, and a field of many soldiers. It was impressive. I did not regret missing the Cinco de Mayo celebrations because watching the coronation made my day!

"I come not to be served

but to serve."

King Charles III

(Images from the television.)

A Tea Party

 

I was invited to attend a Tea Party sponsored by WINGS,  (widows' group), at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community. The tables were covered in pastel tablecloths with light-colored paper flowers scattered on top, and small cardboard baskets with dainty flowers.  The decor made for pretty spring setting.

 Seventeen persons were present to enjoy the fancy sandwiches and a variety of fancy cookies. Hot tea was served in paper cups which took away from the tea party atmosphere! It would have been nice to drink the tea out of pretty tea cups! A table with miniature tea sets was on display for all to enjoy.

As everyone enjoyed the fancy sandwiches of cucumber, rye bread with a cream cheese, and egg sandwiches plus the many fancy finger food desserts, the music director came in to entertain the group He played the piano and sang and some of the ladies sang along with him! I was surprised because I thought he only knew religious songs, but we enjoyed Sentimental Journey, Blue Hawaii, I'm Going Out of My Mind, Who's Sorry Now, Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Blue Ohio, May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You, and Unforgettable. Some of the other tunes he played I did not recognize, yet for a while we relaxed with tunes from our era! 

Thanks to the Widow's group for the invite and a lovely afternoon at the tea party where I enjoyed taking pictures.

"Women are like tea bags;

you never know how strong

they are till they get in hot water."

Elenore Roosvelt