Reconnecting with Family

I'm writing this short column while on vacation in Illinois with my family from Sweden and the ones in Illinois. Once I came into town and reunited with the 'old aunts' it was as if I was still considered a teenager. Nice in a way, but in others irritating. It was if I hadn't lived on my own 2600 miles away all these years, with my own parents having been dead for 15 years.

Once back here though, there were flash backs of my youth. Both good times, bad and sad. Seeing the house I grew up in being in poor condition did not lighten my heart, but tore at it, knowing my parents would have been disappointed and probably angry. All the work they had put into for naught.

The more relatives I visited with, the more my children realized that we are not alone out in the pacific northwest or an orphaned family. They are wildly happy here and have played until they are completely exhausted.

My favorite heart-warming moment was when we pulled into the family reunion spot at the park. The boy cousins my son had been playing with for the last 2 days started yelling for him to come join them. His face brightened and he lit out for them, never looking back at me once. He was with family and they welcomed him. I asked him later what was his thoughts about being around all these people and especially all the boys his age. His reply ? As a 9 year old boy, I was surprised at the sage answer I got. He replied " I am not alone anymore. I feel united. Part of something bigger than just our family in Washington. I am part of hundreds and I love it."

It was a humble moment for me. I've thought many times about his response. It applies to us as Catholics. We are not alone. We are united, or supposed to be. We are family, though separated by miles, our hearts and shared love of Christ and God as the Head of one Church which is our Family here on earth. Pope Benedict is our Holy Father, here on earth and we need to learn from him and allow him to lead us. We are his children, no matter our ages, we still have a great deal to learn.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer time with your families, but please don't neglect your heavenly family as you enjoy your earthly families.

I will be back on the road in a couple of days headed back to Washington with 'my Swedes' and will be back to my regular column writing in a couple of weeks.

Pax and love to you all,

Lori Callaway

Lori Callaway is married to her best friend Scott and mother of 3 children, all of whom are her inspiration and fodder for her freelance writing. Her hobbies are knitting (as a lefty), rosary making, sewing, cross stitching, crafts and ¾ to full time genealogist and history nut. She currently lives in one of the giant metro areas the Pacific Northwest of the US after having grown up in American’s idea of a perfect mid-western small town. Lori is also an RCIC teacher.