Happy Memorial day to you as well, Steve. Out of the past, comes the now. Out of death, comes a chance for new life. A day like this is one that usually has me in a quiet, and often sad frame of mind, remembering fallen friends, and facing the memories of war and the ghosts of it.
But today, I have been thinking about our own child, who will be born in the fall, and looking into a very new direction. The day is not sad, it is busy with life and activity.
And, again like you and Jamie, my wife and I are wondering at the unexpected and nevertheless cherished gift of a child in Middle Age. I'm 48, and my wife is 40, but neither of us give a sweet damn about how it "looks" to other people. A version of me from long ago and once upon a time didn't expect to live to see 35.
So to live this long, marry a woman I love, and find myself getting ready to father a new life? The wonder of it leaves me without words.
Every day really is a gift.
And these days are very good antidotes to sad memories, and "the ghosts of the wars of my youth do fade and unresisting vanish in the sunrise, and do not return".
We'll keep you in our prayers for tomorrow. God Bless you both, Joe and Sarah.
Prayers for your wife and the baby (and you). Our fifth, and youngest child was born when I was thirty-nine and my wife was forty. His siblings were ages thriteen to seven. It was an adjustment, but he has been an incredible blessing for us and his siblings. (He is now twenty-seven.) Carry on! Go with God.
Prayers for a safe and easy delivery for your wife and new baby. I had my unexpected fifth baby at 41 after 5 years of NFP - my older children were an immense help and school mothers gave me so much beautiful clothing and equipment that baby 5 was the best adorned and transported baby of all 😀. God is good - though He seems to delight in blessing us with somewhat challenging gifts! I wish you and yours great joy in your new baby.
Praying for you and your wife and your new little baby boy to be born, and all your family to be safe and protected. I was really moved by your two recent posts and can so relate to your struggles and the anguish you are still passing through. Please know I am praying that you will find someone who can help you sort this out without having to leave the Church. I have been in a similar place and I know I would be broken and maybe outside the Church, without divine and human help when my crisis hit bottom. God bless you, Steve!
Just read your latest posting at 1 Peter 5. Congradulations. A great name for the baby. The posting was very good and very brave. You will receive a lot of support but probably a lot of flack as well. I think the true nature of this battle is only now beginning to emerge from the fog. We will be challegned and tested, and probably abandoned by most of the hierarchy, priesthood and unpresuming laity. When the McCarrick scandal hit I went through a similar crisis about the true nature of the Church. After much anguish and prayer I felt God saying to me that so long as I followed Him the Church would still exist. I think it may come down to us as indiviudal living stones to support each other to maintain the faith and pass it on.
(Sorry for the repeat posts, my browser had a fit) but you can't go wrong with ribs on the smoker and an adult bevoir. This is the best time of the year for it, and my favorite. Heartfelt congratulations!
Happy Memorial day to you as well, Steve. Out of the past, comes the now. Out of death, comes a chance for new life. A day like this is one that usually has me in a quiet, and often sad frame of mind, remembering fallen friends, and facing the memories of war and the ghosts of it.
But today, I have been thinking about our own child, who will be born in the fall, and looking into a very new direction. The day is not sad, it is busy with life and activity.
And, again like you and Jamie, my wife and I are wondering at the unexpected and nevertheless cherished gift of a child in Middle Age. I'm 48, and my wife is 40, but neither of us give a sweet damn about how it "looks" to other people. A version of me from long ago and once upon a time didn't expect to live to see 35.
So to live this long, marry a woman I love, and find myself getting ready to father a new life? The wonder of it leaves me without words.
Every day really is a gift.
And these days are very good antidotes to sad memories, and "the ghosts of the wars of my youth do fade and unresisting vanish in the sunrise, and do not return".
We'll keep you in our prayers for tomorrow. God Bless you both, Joe and Sarah.
Prayers for your wife and the baby (and you). Our fifth, and youngest child was born when I was thirty-nine and my wife was forty. His siblings were ages thriteen to seven. It was an adjustment, but he has been an incredible blessing for us and his siblings. (He is now twenty-seven.) Carry on! Go with God.
JT
Prayers for a safe and easy delivery for your wife and new baby. I had my unexpected fifth baby at 41 after 5 years of NFP - my older children were an immense help and school mothers gave me so much beautiful clothing and equipment that baby 5 was the best adorned and transported baby of all 😀. God is good - though He seems to delight in blessing us with somewhat challenging gifts! I wish you and yours great joy in your new baby.
Praying for you and your wife and your new little baby boy to be born, and all your family to be safe and protected. I was really moved by your two recent posts and can so relate to your struggles and the anguish you are still passing through. Please know I am praying that you will find someone who can help you sort this out without having to leave the Church. I have been in a similar place and I know I would be broken and maybe outside the Church, without divine and human help when my crisis hit bottom. God bless you, Steve!
Way to go, Steve!
Prayers for all you Skojecs, especially for Jamie and the littlest one.
Many prayers for a safe delivery!
Just read your latest posting at 1 Peter 5. Congradulations. A great name for the baby. The posting was very good and very brave. You will receive a lot of support but probably a lot of flack as well. I think the true nature of this battle is only now beginning to emerge from the fog. We will be challegned and tested, and probably abandoned by most of the hierarchy, priesthood and unpresuming laity. When the McCarrick scandal hit I went through a similar crisis about the true nature of the Church. After much anguish and prayer I felt God saying to me that so long as I followed Him the Church would still exist. I think it may come down to us as indiviudal living stones to support each other to maintain the faith and pass it on.
Praying for you always.
JT
(Sorry for the repeat posts, my browser had a fit) but you can't go wrong with ribs on the smoker and an adult bevoir. This is the best time of the year for it, and my favorite. Heartfelt congratulations!