December 25, 2014
This has been a
very challenging time for my family this past year. Among the challenges, my brother Mark passed
the end of the summer. My brother and I
were close growing up; we had to be as we were roommates for most of our
childhood. But, as time passed, we grew
apart and there was a lot of distance; he had his life and I had mine and it
just seemed best to avoid tension by maintaining the space. I justified the distance in my mind but there
should ALWAYS be room to love a little more, a little deeper.
And so I join
the ranks of those who have lost close loved ones. We simply don’t understand what others endure
until we have walked in their shoes. That simple fact should not grant a pass but
should give us pause as we try to understand and get along with our fellow
sojourners. Although easier said than
done, compassion should guide our steps as we walk this world towards the next,
all the while thanking God for the rugged Cross that comforts us as we pass
through towards brighter and better days.
Holidays always bring back a rush of memories
from the past; a smell, a sound, a place.
Those memories may be good or they may be bad. My challenge is to embrace and let go; always
allowing the good memories to linger.
As this holiday season unfolds, my prayer is that we all will have a
deeper appreciation for each other, living in the moment and resolving the past
in our minds, in our words, and in our actions.
This holiday season my heart goes out to those who have lost loved
ones. May Gods peace console us, may
good memories cheer us, and may the knowledge of a future hope and a full
restoration of body and spirit give us strength for each new day. Joy comes in the morning!
God’s rich blessings of comfort and joy on you and yours
this Christmas as we all love a little deeper!
Mario diGesu
