Thoughts on a Sunday

The Lebanese poet, Kahlil Gibran, said parents give their children "roots and wings."

They also try to give them values and traditions.  Having  been around the block more than a few times (more like a few hundred times),  some things are now very clear.  Having survived many difficulties and deep valleys of despair in life, the realization has come that the greatest gift my own parents gave me was faith.

All the material things don't even begin to compare with the treasure of faith.  When darkness of the soul surrounded me and disappointments seared like a hot branding iron, faith is what pulled me through.

When things seemed hopeless, when the bottom fell out of the ship of life, faith sustained.

Today, when looking at the church of my childhood, there is a feeling of comfort and peace. My parents are gone from this earth now yet their spirits are still very much alive. 

 Their presence is made known when church bells peal, when the choir sings, when the smell of  the incense on the altar drifts into the church pews, and in the flickering of prayer candles.

This Thanksgiving week, when there is so much for which to be thankful, the gift of faith will be at the top of the list.

WHAT GIFT FROM YOUR OWN PARENTS DO YOU TREASURE THE MOST?