At 9:15am, on the 31st of December, I did pick up Fr. Beattie and we went to IHOP at Wheaton. It was not crowded and we both had great breakfasts. He had scrapple, a strange meat from Philly and I had the Double, which is two of everything. I also had two hot chocolates. We had a nice visit and caught up on his and my Christmas activities.
I got home around 11:25 as I was expecting a parishioner to stop by so I could affix the parish seal to a letter her daughter needed to give to a priest in Illinois about her “to be” wedding in New Jersey. I quoted the Holy Father, who asked, “Why is it that when someone calls the parish to ask about getting married or having a baby baptized; the first question is, ‘Are you registered’? Why don’t we begin with how happy we are that they want the church to be a part of this happy occasion?” I guess the word hasn’t gotten to Illinois yet!!!
Then I had the 5:30 Vigil Mass. It was full and I used the stool to help with Communion. I cleaned my suite and was in bed around 9pm. I was going to stay up to watch the ball but around 11, I fell asleep and woke around 2am. Happy New Year.
On New Year’s Day, I had the 4pm Mass at Knollwood and then I just watch TV and went to bed early.
On Thursday, the 2nd, I went to see Dr. Solomon. He gave me some interesting information.
Since Maureen died about 16 months ago and had been sick for about 2 years before that, I have been planning to die in the middle of 2014. When I went to Nova for the test on the Fibrosis, the doctor there had said, “People usually die about two or two and half years after the diagnosis”. I’m not morbid but I have been trying to “put things in order”.
Dr. Solomon and I had a great talk. First, he wanted me to know that I was diagnosed in 2010, so I’m already ahead of the game. He reminded me that my diagnosis was early because of the PET scan I had when I had pneumonia. Although my numbers of blood oxygen, which use to be 98 resting, only go to 96 now; he wanted me to know that 96 is OK. And he thinks it’s great that I am going on a cruise, taking a train to California, and giving a presentation at the NCEA in Pittsburgh. I felt affirmed in all that I am planning.
That afternoon, I went again to hear confessions at St. Luke’s and left feeling great. I was going to stop and see some people and go by a wake; but it began to snow and they were forecasting a miserable day, so I came home.
On Friday, January 3rd, I didn’t get to go to Billy Anderson’s funeral at St. Camillus as I had the 11am Mass and then I spent most of the day in my suite. I was supposed to meet Sister Mary Xavier but we decided it was too messy to go out. I cleaned out a bookcase.
On Saturday, the 4th, I drove down to Leonardtown to meet with my TEAM. We had a nice lunch and a good meeting. It was good to see everyone; it’s been awhile since everyone was there. After the meeting, Paul and Ellen got my I pad working and “online”. I am most grateful as I hope to take it on the cruise.
Afterwards, I stopped at Robin and John’s and turned in my calendar raffle forms.
On the way home, I stopped at Joan’s. Sue and Scott were there. Ginny had made cookies and Joan had filled by stocking. We had a great time visiting. I came home and went to bed.
I slept in on Sunday as I was having the 5:30pm Mass. I watched all the Sunday Talk Shows and learned what was happening in the world. There were lots of people at the Mass (the Epiphany) and I gave out Communion. I had nice long talks with Stephanie and Dan and Betty Neary and some other friends. I have been staying close to home and I’m walking slowly because I don’t want to slip on the ice. It is really cold here!!!
I slept in again on Monday, January 6th but in the afternoon, I met with the young couple I met a few weeks ago and they updated me on their activities. They are planning a summer wedding in Peru. (No, I am not going!!!). I had exposition and the 5:30pm Mass and then I met with a young couple and they took the FOCUS test. Fr. Regis is marrying them (in Louisiana) but asked me to meet with them. They were lovely. Then I went home and watched a Blacklist marathon, which brought me up to date as the new season starts soon. It is a very strange but interesting story.
Today is was minus 2 degrees in Washington. Lots of schools in Virginia were closed but not us. Rita and I decided to cancel “Tuesdays with Father Maury”. We just didn’t want people to come out in the wind and cold. I did have the 11am Mass and I told the people to be careful and bundle up. There were about 30 people that came.
My large oxygen machine is not working, so they came and replaced it. I will take the small one with me on the trip. I got this office straightened up and Joan W will take a picture and send it to JoEddy.
I am packed and will have supper at 5:15 with Ron and then come over here and meet Andrea and Stephen to hear about the honeymoon trip to Italy and meeting the Pope. Then I’ll drive down to Maggie’s, go to bed and we’ll leave around 8am and try to get into Georgia by suppertime.
I will try to write “on the road” and “on the high seas”!!! God bless..
Happy Sailing! May you have smooth seas.
I can hear God laughing at your sentence: I have been planning to die in the middle of 2014. Sarah thought she was too old to have children….who got the last laugh???
Enjoy your trip and, when able, keep in touch.
I laughed out loud when I read you were planning to die in the middle of 2014. It would be nice, (we think) if we were in full control of our lives. The Drs. told me that I would die before 60, but it’ll be six years beyond that in February. Live in the now and continue to enjoy your life. The future will take care of itself! Have fun on the cruise. My driveway is blocked with snow and ice and we had no power at all for a couple of days this past week. See my Christmas letter for more. Peace out….