x Close
World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting | catholic family life | prayer life
During almost fifty years of marriage, we’ve learned that some home-related tasks require both of us to accomplish. Other chores are best done by just one of us according to individual talent and interest. Sorting out who would specialize in a particular area took negotiation and compromise. When something urgent presented itself, often involving one of the children, whoever was closest responded, regardless of specialty.
Share
Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting | Summer | catholic family life
Once, during my college years, I had a summer job on campus. To provide for local transportation, I quickly traveled home and retrieved my old bicycle, dusted it off, and took it back to school. I often traveled a dirt road that passed through a large field surrounded by woodland. It was a quiet exercise in solitude, and it was beautiful. In the early morning, the dew glistened on the grasses, and at dusk, the mist rose from the earth and saturated the air. I always felt uplifted moving across that green expanse.
Share
Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
Compassion | Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting
I can’t recall precisely when our children discovered how much evil and suffering there is in the world. We tried to protect them for as long as we could. Maybe the little hurts of early childhood were a gradual introduction. At some point, they became aware that the world endures terrible suffering, much of which people inflict on each other. Today, violence and revenge seem almost taken for granted. It’s ironic how frequently some of us impose misery on others. We hope to teach our children how to respond to the vicious and to treasure the virtuous.
Share
Family Time | Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting
We recently had a delightful visit with our youngest grandkids. When one of them ventured into the backyard, we reminded him not to leave the gate open. Our dog loves the yard, but dogs have a way of following their noses. A fenced yard is of little value without a latched gate. As a child, when I forgot to close the door after coming in from outside, I was sometimes asked, “Do you live in a barn?” Years later, I worked briefly in a barn and realized how ironic the question was. Leaving a door or gate unsecured in a barn is unwise – unless you want to chase a startled animal everywhere.
Share
Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting | family prayer
It is summer in this region, and the natural world calls us to recreation out of doors. Years ago, I tried running for exercise. When I began, I could barely jog around the block. Over time, I slowly added distance and found solitude and consolation amid my limitations and aspirations. I ran several 5k races to see if I could complete the course. I felt solidarity with other runners, most of whom ran faster than me. The only “running” I do now is hurrying at crosswalks. I enjoy walking.
Share
Family Time | Grandpa's Garden | Grandparenting
I recently had several conversations with some old classmates, one of whom I’d known for almost seventy years. We hadn’t been in touch for a lifetime, yet we immediately started reminiscing about people and experiences. Our conversation flowed easily, naturally drawing on the riches of memory. It is interesting how circumstance brings people into and out of our lives at various times. In families, our children move into their own autonomous lives. Family relationships endure and evolve.
Share
