Dear 1036: the Sunroom in Back

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

It's March, the threshold of spring.  My thoughts turn to memories 20 years ago when Mom and Dad had our sunroom attached to the back of the house.

We used to have a deck there.  We enjoyed so many wonderful meals in pleasant weather.  I also liked kicking around a soccer ball on the open deck.

At one point, we would put up an awning to keep it enclosed.  Rainwater would pool in a corner, and I liked taking a broom and pushing the awning up so the water would cascade.

Then, with inheritance money from Uncle Arnold, the sunroom was added.

I'm fairly certain it was in place by mid-March.  One evening, I set up the card table out there with a folding chair and did schoolwork, even though the carpet wasn't installed yet.

The following month, on Resurrection Sunday, we had extended family come by because they were so eager to see our new room.

We had so many great meals there, and wonderful gatherings in the warmer months.  It was a sure sign of spring emerging when it was warm enough to eat in that room without needing the heat.

At the start of Thanksgiving Break during my 2nd year at ValpU, I greatly delighted in arriving home with Zach, who spent the night before heading on his way to northern Wisconsin the next day.  As we settled down, we debriefed Mom and Dad about the hectic week that led up to break.

The large windows had great views of the plants in the backyard, and even the sky scenes with sunrises and moonrises.

Also, 11 years ago this month, I was in that room for nearly 2 hours watching live TV coverage when Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013.

I am truly stirred by these memories, and surely more that shall arise as I ponder the special nature of that added room.

In these memories, I know that you shall not fade into the background, but remain deeply in my heart.

On this day when we commemorate the institution of the New Covenant in the Eucharist--from the Greek word for thanksgiving--I, in the spirit of Psalm 116, offer thanks to God for you.

We are ever connected:

All my relations.

(A new phrase I carried home 11 years ago this month from a week at St. Augustine Mission.)

With much gladness and gratitude for you,

God's blessings,

Paul

The room was filled with morning sunlight on what was surely a pleasantly warm day.

A sign of moving toward spring as snow melts in the backyard, with the backroom in full view.

The Jesus Year

Lent is meant to be a time to think more deeply about our relationship with God.

So it was only fitting that a rather notable remark was made in a conversation I had during a Lenten faith-sharing group.  I mentioned I would be absent soon because I was going out of town for my birthday weekend.

Someone asked how old I would turn.  Upon replying 33, Molly in the group remarked it would be the "Jesus year", since that is what the Christian tradition established as how long Jesus Christ lived on Earth.

So while 33 might not be a typical milestone birthday, Molly's remark definitely gives me something to consider.

I'm reminded of a plaque I got 11 years ago when I graduated from ValpU.  It says, "Who you are is God's gift to you.  What you make of yourself is your gift back to God."

In other words, I think about one of the phrases the priest uses at the conclusion of Mass: "Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life."

When I think about what it means to be gift, especially in light of Pope St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, I see that I can derive a strong sense of purpose by giving of myself, making something of this gift of life.  Giving is a way to make Christ present in the world.

I listened to an insightful Lenten reflection at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which focused on the idea of sacrifice.  It's well worth your time to spend 14 minutes viewing it.  For the purpose of this blog post, I will summarize two major principles.  Sacrifice is not about the drudgery of giving up something, but is ultimately meant to be for the good of others.  And similar to the relationship of the Three Persons of the Trinity, we are meant to sacrifice as a way to give to others, which is our true purpose in life.

Truly I've found so much meaning in the ways I give, especially with my Religious Education students over the past 11 years.  It's going to be quite an adventure as I continue delving more deeply into my purpose by what I have to offer in this new year of my life and beyond.

And so while March 16 is my birthday, it is a day that finds meaning because of all the people who are part of my life, making that day and all the other days special.