Coming Full Circle

Recently we were blessed with being a part of a very special occasion.   It involved one of my Mom’s good friends from college.  I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that throughout the weekend my Mom’s presence was everywhere…but I was.

My Dad, Brian, Lucy and I trekked up to western Pennsylvania for the celebration of 50 years of Sister Rose Anne being in religious life with the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.  Sister Rose Anne and my Mom were college roommates.   They remained good friends through all the years leading up to my Mom’s death.   When we received the invitation in the mail to be a part of this special occasion, we never doubted that we would go.  And what a special, memorable, spiritually-alive weekend it was.

There were the peaceful surroundings of Villa Maria: the wetlands trail, and the herb gardens, and the college-like dorm we stayed in (which we had all to ourselves!), and the amazingly beautiful chapel, and the ponds, and religious statues, and cows and sheep, and organic gardens….

Lucy loved smelling all the different herbs.

The wetlands trail that we explored.

This is not even skimming the surface….

There was also all the incredibly friendly and happy residents, so marked with God’s grace and peace.

And the delicious food, lots of it grown and/or made right there on site.

And the amazing weather.

And the masses that we attended, where the Holy Spirit was filling my every inch.

The Magnificat Chapel

Lucy enjoying holding Mary's hand.

The pictures of this gorgeous space really don't do it justice.

And the catching up and visiting with Sister Rose Anne, her sister Sue, and my Dad.

I could go on and on, and I haven’t even gotten to the most amazing part of it all:

The gifts exchanged.

I have to go back just a bit.  

When I was home in April for my niece’s birthday, I sat at my Mom’s desk in her house, just looking through her stuff, as I sometimes will do.  I noticed her rosary, sitting in the corner of her desk.  I thought to myself that I was sure it hadn’t moved since her death, and what a shame that it was just sitting there, unused.  I pondered what to do with it, but left it there, not wanting to change her space.

Fast forward to a month later--my Dad and I talking about what we could give Sister Rose Anne to commemorate her special celebration.   I had been thinking and thinking and couldn’t come up with just the right gift.  Then my Dad said “Have you ever thought of giving her something here, in the house?”  That is when I knew.   Of course, the rosary! This is exactly why I sat at my Mom’s desk a month earlier, and why my Mom had me notice that rosary of hers, sitting in the corner of her desk... that rosary she had used for over 50 years.  I had not a doubt in my mind-at that moment in conversation with my Dad- that the rosary was exactly what my Mom wanted us to give her good friend on her 50^th anniversary celebration.

But the story doesn’t end there…

On that Saturday night-- when  we were staying in that peaceful, empty dorm on those beautiful 700 acres of nature preserve at Villa Maria, some different gifts were being exchanged.  This time, from Sister Rose Anne… to us.  Two of those gifts:   a pair of silver earrings and a Belleek pin.  Both gifts that my Mom had given to Sister Rose Anne (the earrings right before she died).  And now Sister Rose Anne wanted to pass them on to us, specifically to Mom’s grandchildren.  She explained that since the grandchildren can’t receive gifts from Mom anymore, she wanted them to have these things.

I knew then, and see even more clearly now, how busy my Mom had been leading up to this weekend.   She was at work through all of us, planting seeds, and making sure her things were given away to the proper people…people whom she knew would treasure these special things.   Not only this, but she brought us all together so that we could exchange these gifts, enjoy each other’s company, and be reminded of her eternal presence.  

Lucy picked this for me on the wetlands trail.

It is true that I never saw any of this coming…this full circle moment, in such a serene place, with such wonderful people.  Now, all I can think is, of course this happened…never doubt the unending power of the Holy Spirit, and God’s divine Providence, always present.  

If ever you get a chance to visit Villa Maria in Pulaski, Pennsylvania, I highly suggest it.  Amazing things are sure to happen there.