Daisies for the window, ripe bananas, and a special moment at Mass (7 Quick Takes)

~1~

The other day while I was grocery shopping alone, I saw a sweet pot of daisies. I don’t think I’ve ever bought flowers for myself before, but they were inexpensive and colorful and sitting there just waiting for me at the store.

They’re now in my kitchen window, where I can look at them as I’m doing dishes. I probably won’t be able to keep them alive, but I’ll enjoy them while they are here.

~2~

We have a shipment of blue Jolly Ranchers arriving today. I don’t know why it brings me so much joy to order candy in my children’s favorite color or flavor. I think it’s because it feels like we are somehow being virtuous by not wasting the other colors.

~3~

I love that our sons can play video games with their cousins who are a few hundred miles away. Nothing makes me smile like walking into the living room and finding my children on FaceTime with their cousins while they compete in a Rocket League tournament.

Yes, technology has its issues, but I love that it helps keep these cousins connected.

~4~

I was thinking the other day what a relief it is not to have to buy or make dozens of valentines for elementary school parties. I suppose there are parents who miss that, but we had our fun. I don’t miss sitting down with class lists and trying to get children to write out as many names as possible before I forge the rest myself. Eventually, I figured out we could just label none of them, but the first few years, the teachers probably thought it would be educational to write all those names.

Anyway, my sister Maureen sent me this McSweeney’s piece, “I’m beginning to think you don’t care about the forty-seven valentines I need to take to school tomorrow,” and it’s delightful.

If you have 47 valentines to prepare for a Valentine’s Day party at school, Godspeed.

~5~

Why do I consistently buy bananas when the bananas keep turning black before anyone eats them?

I’m either an overly optimistic person or someone who is hoping life will give her a reason to make banana bread.

Maybe I just like buying bananas or imagining my future self baking banana bread.

~6~

Our celebration of the Year of the Tiger continues, which mostly means our decorations are still up.

Our boys had a great time building the Lunar New Year Traditions LEGO set our friends gave us. We had fun discussing the traditions depicted in the set.

Most days I know I’m falling short as a parent, but I think we are at least doing OK with celebrating Chinese New Year.

~7~

Yesterday I attended a memorial Mass for Mark Broderick, a retired administrator from Loyola (where I work). He passed away last month, and I wanted to be there to honor him and his legacy at Loyola—and to support my colleagues who were closer to him than I was. I also offered to be an extra set of hands to assist if needed.

One of my friends, who handled the arrangements, asked me to go check on the reception set-up during the Mass. After listening to a wonderful homily by my friend, Fr. Frank Nash, S.J., I slipped out of Mass to check on the reception set-up. Everything looked good. I walked back to the chapel, and I walked in just as the priest was lifting the chalice during the consecration.

It took my breath away. I had wanted so much to be present for the homily, which I was, but I had been less worried about getting back for the consecration. But during the consecration, I always think of how we are all connected around that table. Even those we love who have passed on are present with us for that miracle. I was in awe and felt this amazing sense of connection—to friends and strangers in the chapel and to the souls who have gone before us.

I’m not a theology expert, so forgive me if I’m a little off in my explanation. But it was really moving, and I felt that Jesus had somehow waited for me and made time stand still so I didn’t miss that instant when space and time blur, and we are all at the Last Supper together.

Please join me in saying a prayer for Mark’s soul and for all who love and miss him. What an amazing person.

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