Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Rhubarb Pie


This post has its very own soundtrack provided by the ska stylings of Five Iron Frenzy. Go ahead-- press play!

Can you hear the music? Good. I love this song-- not only because it has a catchy off-beat feel with a walking bass and horn interjections, but also because it's about one of my very favorite things about spring and summer!

"Rhubarb pie, in the Summer. Rhubarb pie, made by my mother." Sometimes it's some of the simplest things in life that make us smile the most. Yes, my mom's rhubarb pie definitely gives me something to smile about and, as the song says, it makes my mouth water just to think about it!

Mom's rhubarb pie is definitely tasty, but it's more than just a delicious treat. It's the memories involved that really make it special; it's having the family at the dinner table on a Sunday afternoon, clearing away the dinner plates, brewing some coffee, and hearing mom announce, "And now, it's time for pie." Glorious.

Maybe you don't get as excited as I do about mom's rhubarb pie, but I sincerely hope that you have something that has the same effect for you. What is a little thing that makes life special for you? What is your "rhubarb pie?" Think on it while you bounce to the music...

Here's to Days Just Packed with rhubarb pie!


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Lent VI: Grudges

Carrying a grudge can often get quite heavy, especially if you're trying to carry it over a long distance or a long period of time. Sometimes however, it seems like it would be a lot easier to just hold onto a grudge than it would be to forgive someone.  It isn't, by the way. A grudge will eat at your soul until there is nothing left, and forgiveness is the only way to come out of it alive.  Just because you forgive someone doesn't mean that you have to be best buddies, but it does mean that you no longer hold over their head whatever it is that they did.

"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die."  
~Malachy McCourt


Have I been holding a grudge? Yes, or at least I had been for awhile. Have I let it go yet? Mostly. It still needs some work. These things take time, but I have taken some great steps toward reconciliation.

Over the last week of Lent (Holy Week), focus on the last two petitions of the Lord's Prayer:

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Here's to Days Just Packed with letting go of grudges!