Tag Archives: faith

Nov28

Love one another, but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. ~ Kahlil Gibran, On Marriage

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Love one another, but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. ~ Kahlil Gibran, On Marriage

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Of all the hundreds of wedding pictures taken at Patrick and Nazaneen’s glorious wedding, this one intrigues me the most. Two very intuitive young lovers dancing their first dance as husband and wife. What is Patrick saying to his beautiful bride? I wonder…

My father gave me the book “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran when I was a teenager. I’ve referred to its’ wisdom time and again

when I fell in love

when I got married

when I had children.

I am watching the dance with admiration and the utmost respect. And maybe just a little bit of envy. I was so young when I got married- 22 years old. I knew very little about life and love. My father told me often that he didn’t think my husband treasured me enough or loved me enough or protected me enough. I laughed it off, thinking that he was just a jealous dad and he was bitter that some man took me away from him.

But as I have watched these two fall in love and plan for their future I have seen my son very intentionally take his role as a partner, a protector, and a provider. And I have seen beautiful Nazaneen, as she tenderly takes Patrick’s face in her hands to kiss him, so in love and so devoted to his happiness. I am certain that they were born to be together.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart. ~ Kahlil Gibran, On Love

There is something so inspiring about a marriage ceremony.  It makes you fall in love all over again. Not just with someone but with life and living. It renews one’s faith in the order of the universe. It makes one believe in good things ahead. In this time of political strife and climate horrors, people are committing to love. I believe that it makes a difference. Maybe Marianne Williamson is right? Maybe love is the answer.

At the end of their marriage ceremony Patrick took Naz’s hands and in perfect Farsi said these words:

Dooset Daram, Ashegetam, azizam, Ghorboonet Beram.

..at which a gasp/sigh floated up from the guests- at least from the guests who knew Farsi. The rest of us were left with wondering.

What did Patrick say to her?

Amidst the excitement and celebration with family and friends, I forgot to ask Patrick what it meant until weeks later. He said:

I love you.

I am in love with you, my dear.

I would die for you.

Patrick, Papa would be so proud.

Apr7

It was a very Good Friday!

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It was a very Good Friday!

I’ve had at least two people ask me in the past two days why it’s called Good Friday.  Funny… in all the years of being Catholic I’ve never asked that question.  It just goes to show how much we Catholics take in and accept as truth in faith.

I guess I could google it.  But I’d rather think that it’s “Good” because Jesus died and paid the price for our sins so that we can have eternal life.  Granted… I have never questioned that either!

Yesterday I attended Good Friday services at the Santa Clara Mission.  The lights were dimmed, the incense plentiful and the music was prayerful.  It was a solemn liturgy and I had some heavy things on my heart.  A good friend from high school recently died of a heart attack.   Another family’s 21 year old son was killed in an accident by a drunk driver.  A young teen has disappeared from Morgan Hill and has not been found.

I felt such solidarity with the congregation as we marched forward to venerate the cross singing “Were you there when they crucified my Lord”.  People knelt to kiss the cross.  Others bowed.   Ok.. I get emotional at these things.  I’m an N and an F on the Myers Briggs.  It doesn’t take much to make me weepy.

But just as I began to search for yet another tissue in my purse, the presiding priest asked us to join him in the Lord’s Prayer.  The somewhat feeble and elderly man standing next to me grabbed my hand firmly and raised it up in his and began to pray in earnest!  His strength and conviction shot through his hand into mine and straight to my heart.  I felt suddenly transformed by his faith and a presence of love.

Maybe it’s all hocus pocus.  Catholics were New Age before the New Agers were!  Beads and incense and smoke and mystery.  Death and resurrection.  I’ve bought it hook line and sinker my whole life.

I don’t need to explain it or google it.  I experienced it yesterday.  And it was certainly a “Good” Friday.