I am not going to lie, I am kind of sad today. Tomorrow will make 2 years that my friend Paul was lost at sea and was never found. I haven't had to deal with loss to much in my life, but to lose a friend is enough loss. I can't imagine what it has been like for the Callais family. Let me start from the beginning though. Back in February of 2007, I received an email from Paul regarding sponsoring me while I was in seminary. He had never met me before, but he saw my picture on the seminarian poster and I was the closest seminarian to his home parish so he got in contact with me. My philosophy was if somebody is willing to help me, then I need to take the time to meet them and I did just that. I took the time to go to Paul's work to introduce myself. Time to time we would get together and during these get togethers I got to meet more of the family. What a family! They are all super nice, super generous, and some of the most faithful people in the world. I feel like I am part of there family from all the interaction I have had with them, even after Paul's passing. The day I got the email and voicemail, my heart sank, I thought this couldn't be, but indeed it was. Attending the memorial service for Paul was one of the hardest things I have had to face, I cried my eyes out. I have never lost someone so close to me before in my life. Although I can't explain what goes on in the mind of God, everything happens for a reason, I am still trying to figure that out. However, I still pray for Paul every night, it's a way that I can always keep a piece of such an honest, generous man part of my life. I might have lost a friend, but heaven definitely gained a new angel with Paul.
Wow today was super busy. I was present at a Eucharistic vigil from 7:30 to about 11:50 today. I thought this would give me an opportunity to read and pray on my own. Nope...I was in charge of helping with the prayer session during each hour for the classes that were going on. I was nice. This afternoon though was great, well other than my mishap of washing a green shirt with whites. We had a procession around the neighborhood of the school. It was really great and I was happy to be apart of the procession. This gave me time to reflect, I got to walk behind the caro that was holding the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue. I really thought a lot about Paul and almost teared, but I held it together. We also had our last novena and the piazza was full, it was really super. It makes me really excited about the festivities going on tomorrow. It is also nice to see some of the work that I have helped put into this celebration come to fruition. It is an awarding experience.
Well I have dance practice tonight for the fiesta. Had it last night and learned the rest of the dance. I am placed in the center, I think because I remember the steps and well they think I am a great dancer. I try. Dancing is a workout, I was sweating bullets, it doesn't help that the room was hot. Zumba in the future once back in the states, maybe! Also I get praised on how good of a singing voice I have. I am going to head back to the states with all this singing confidence and lose it immediately after I begin to sing.
I like to believe that smiling and making someone laugh is the best form of medicine. Well it does work. One of the girls here at the school is always so positive was really sad, she didn't have her smile on. I started to sing, she sang along and it made her feel much better. I'm glad that I could contribute in anyway that I could. Maybe that is one of the gifts God has blessed me with, helping people to get there smile back.
I got a fun email last night my time from my parish pastor back in good ole' French Settlement, Louisiana. He likes my blog so much that he is going to publish it in the church bulletin. Thanks Father, you rock!
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