Hearkening back to our conversation about thin places – St. Benedict's tomb at Monte Cassino (alongside St. Scholastica's) is one of those places that I have visited.
my now-husband and I were once crazy college kids gallivanting around Italy on Spring Break, in fact Monte Cassino is logistically absurdly ridiculous to get to (we ended up running down the dirt path straight down the mountain to catch our train because we stayed till closing and missed the bus or something like that)...anyway I remember distinctly the feeling that the saints were there hearing my prayers, watching us marvel at their resting place. Not something I've felt anywhere else even though I've been to many shrines and tombs.
Thanks! I hadn't come across the proverb about the wind before but all was quiet here yesterday, barely a breath of wind so I am hoping for more of the same!
I think that the 'dark cave' of our son Tom's physical, mental and emotional ill health as well as his addiction over the last 10 years is now germinating slowly but significantly into a future and a hope. It certainly was a long, dark decade. Iris asked me yesterday if we could have a statue and flowers in our garden - she meant a shrine as her school has a Mary Grotto.
Oh goodness, how sweet would it be to build a little grotto with Iris?! I find little shrines to be such a comfort.
Tom has truly been through the ringer (you all have), and it's just such a blessing to know that, little by little, glimmers of hope and a future are appearing. Those dark nights of the soul can be SO long and excruciating.
Lovely reflection, the connections you make always make me think! Glad that St. Benedict's Day wasn't last weekend, the wind was terrible here. I don't think my nerves could take weeks more of that wild wind!
Thanks so much, Jill - I'm delighted to hear that :) And gosh, no kidding about the wind, right?! We had a storm knock down a bunch of trees a few weeks ago, and that would not have boded well on St. Benedict's day...
Hearkening back to our conversation about thin places – St. Benedict's tomb at Monte Cassino (alongside St. Scholastica's) is one of those places that I have visited.
😱 tell me everything!!
my now-husband and I were once crazy college kids gallivanting around Italy on Spring Break, in fact Monte Cassino is logistically absurdly ridiculous to get to (we ended up running down the dirt path straight down the mountain to catch our train because we stayed till closing and missed the bus or something like that)...anyway I remember distinctly the feeling that the saints were there hearing my prayers, watching us marvel at their resting place. Not something I've felt anywhere else even though I've been to many shrines and tombs.
That raven is gorgeous and I love the adorable mouse! Your drawings are just enchanting. 🥰
Aw thank you!! They're so fun to dream up. :)
Thanks! I hadn't come across the proverb about the wind before but all was quiet here yesterday, barely a breath of wind so I am hoping for more of the same!
Of course! Thank you for all the incredible research and work you do. It's a huge help. :) And yay for mild winds!
I think that the 'dark cave' of our son Tom's physical, mental and emotional ill health as well as his addiction over the last 10 years is now germinating slowly but significantly into a future and a hope. It certainly was a long, dark decade. Iris asked me yesterday if we could have a statue and flowers in our garden - she meant a shrine as her school has a Mary Grotto.
Oh goodness, how sweet would it be to build a little grotto with Iris?! I find little shrines to be such a comfort.
Tom has truly been through the ringer (you all have), and it's just such a blessing to know that, little by little, glimmers of hope and a future are appearing. Those dark nights of the soul can be SO long and excruciating.
Lovely reflection, the connections you make always make me think! Glad that St. Benedict's Day wasn't last weekend, the wind was terrible here. I don't think my nerves could take weeks more of that wild wind!
Thanks so much, Jill - I'm delighted to hear that :) And gosh, no kidding about the wind, right?! We had a storm knock down a bunch of trees a few weeks ago, and that would not have boded well on St. Benedict's day...
That is a lovely little shrine! I also felt compelled recently to take pictures of all the mossy places in my neighborhood. 💚
It's such a beautiful season for moss!