Eye Opener

I forgot to mention that this Sunday, I met up with a dear friend of my Lena and we went to mass together. Let me tell you a quick background on my friendship with Lena. I've known her since probably elementary school, our fathers went to school together. We attended Sunday school together, and our community had summer activities that i remember seeing her at. We live in neighbor towns, so obviously are schools were rivals and we were friends from dance, plays, sports etc. About 4 years ago I was invited to this Riverbend Tec thing...i had NO idea what it was. Literally went with no idea what it was. Well I knew that Lena was going so i figured okay at least i'll know one person. Anyway, it was  3 day retreat where it was all about improving our faith, we never knew the time, or the plan for the day, and little did we know our friends, families, teachers, and community would be there waiting for us in a candle light gym on our last day as a tecite. During this experience me and Lena grew immensely close, there was an unspoken connection that we shared that nobody could possibly understand. Sitting in a dark church for 3 hours not speaking a word and having Lena sitting down the pew from me was a feeling I'll never forget. Anyways, she ended up going to a College in the same town I did, after the first year she transferred. After mass this Sunday, an old lady invited us down for coffee and donuts- we though oh great this is a small parish and we don't know anybody. We politely accepted for the free food and joined her. We sat by her and another old lady who's name was Mary Lou. We talked for at least an hour, they told us their long friendship story and the troubles they've been through. One was widowed, the other happily married for 54 years. I never thought that going to mass could turn into making such a strong connection with an 82 year old woman. I guess my whole thought about this blog is that you can try and plan what is going to happen, or have certain expectations...but you truly never know what is about to come your way. For me this was the most simple, beautiful interaction of connecting with a complete stranger and hearing the wisdom she has gained over her life here on Earth. A brunch at church...who woulda thought?

St. John's Catholic Church

Lena and I circa St. Pattys' Day 2010