The Next Hurrah

 “Whoever who lives and puts trust in Me will never die." ~ John 11:26

As a hospice nurse for nearly a dozen years, Laini remained confused by the concept of death. Is there life after death? Are heaven and hell real? If there is a God, what happens to nonbelievers after taking their last breath?

Death, in many ways, is a moment of truth.

Today, she sat for a few moments with Mona who, at age 54, was actively dying from inoperable cancer and drifting in and out of consciousness. She knew all too well the effects of medication and fatigue on a dying brain.

Her patient nuzzled comfortably in a bed encircled by vibrant, fragrant flowers while her family gathered back at Mona’s home. Laini considered it an honor to share this space alone at her bedside. Years of working with people nearing their final goodbye had given her a more hopeful understanding of death. She knew this woman was seeing more, not less than she was.

Suddenly, Mona shot straight up in her bed and addressed Laini sternly. Medical experts call it "terminal lucidity" or “rally.”

“Mona?” she said, pointing to an empty chair in the corner of the room. “That’s my son, Aaron. Do you see him?”

Laini nodded reassuringly, staying in the background and following Mona’s lead. The phantom guest held his Mom’s complete attention. Mona listened with a warm heart as tears ran down both cheeks.

The closer her patients came to dying, the more their eyes and spirits seemed open to a reality Laini could only discern weakly. Something he said must have touched her deeply.

“I loved you then, I love you now, and I will love you for all eternity,” she told her son tenderly. Mona bowed for a short prayer before turning to her hospice nurse. “He needed forgiveness and needed to know that I’ll love him forever,” she said with perfect lucidity.

From previous conversations, Laini knew that Aaron was in prison and could not have visited her in person. But Mona remained adamant about his presence before falling back asleep. It reminded Laini of words a colleague once shared: "A candle burns brightest just before it goes out.”

Mona passed away peacefully a few days later, comforted by the family that gathered around her.

Upon reflection, Laini saw a recurring pattern in her work. Patients near death often described not just visits from absent loved ones but an extraordinary awareness of God’s presence. She realized just how thoroughly she misunderstood death and came to understand the joy God has prepared for his children.

For Christians, death is a strange and wonderful beginning, a threshold to some new and more beautiful world. There can be no greater hope than that.

Almighty God, have compassion on the anxious sighs of those nearing death and shroud them with the peace and comfort only You can provide. Receive them into the Kingdom You’ve so graciously prepared for those who believe and trust You. Amen

Treasure the Family Crest

 “Consider earlier generations, study the past, understand your roots." ~ Deuteronomy 32:7

With both parents deceased and her oldest sibling’s recent passing, Naomi became the family’s matriarch. So, as the holidays approached, she sensed a burdening responsibility to roast a delicious turkey and bake the family’s secret apple pie recipe to perfection.

More importantly, she felt an even greater obligation to ensure that her children, nieces/nephews, and grandchildren (who never had the chance to meet their grandparents), learn the memorable points of the family’s history.

Years earlier, her parents had invited Naomi and her siblings, their kids, and two dozen older relatives for Thanksgiving dinner in the small town where they all grew up. As elders reminisced in the living room, she heard stories, examined old photographs, and enjoyed the laughter she’d heard countless times before.

It reminded Naomi of her family's influence; and how much her life had been shaped by the life, love, and faith lessons taught when they gathered. What appeared to be favorite songs, funny jokes, and amusing (sometimes tall) tales came with priceless lessons of tolerance, adventure, persistence, and self-confidence.

She watched how others worked together in the kitchen preparing the holiday meal. They practiced sharing around the table. Prayers revealed an understanding of humility and thankfulness. Engaging in conversations deepened their relationships. Laughter and sorrow exposed the woven fabric of their lives.

Old stories reconnected generations. They were as much a part of the holidays as a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas tree.

When someone started to tell a story, most already knew its ending. But everyone listened, always laughing at the right time as heartily as they’d heard it for the first time.

Family folklore arouses our sense of belonging. These stories are “treasures” of the family crest, a family’s unique inheritance. Those who reminisce together build stronger bonds.

That’s why family gatherings are essential! They create a foundation of support, love, and shared experiences that contribute to a resilient family unit.

The elderly especially need this sense of family and togetherness. They often feel neglected, isolated, and alone. It’s so important for them to spend time with loved ones over the holidays. It can be a life-saving experience!

With that in mind, try not to leave anyone home alone this holiday season Consider making written copies of recipes passed down from elders for your guests to take home. Maybe even include a short write-up about each author. Ask the younger guests what they’d like to know more about. Inviting new stories could be fun and make youngsters more active participants.

Finally, resist any temptation to shut elders out of the conversation just because they tend to repeat the same stories or seem to confuse fact with fantasy. They’re the ones who carried the family stories forward. Let’s do what we can to help them continue benefiting from their own tales.

Almighty Father, thank You for the world’s diversity. Help us encourage connections between the older and younger generations so that we learn from each other, appreciate similarities, and understand differences. Amen

One Heart

 “I have plans for you," He declared. Plans to give you hope and a future." ~ Jeremiah 29:11

They met six years earlier when both were college students working at Chick-fil-A. Marriage had been chiseled into their story the day they first met. Erin and Joseph were anxious to start a family.

Repeated negative pregnancy tests dulled their spirits, but also deepened their faith as the Christian twosome begged God to entrust them with the miracle of life and welcome a sacred infant into their hearts and souls.

Seeing their first positive pregnancy test brought absolute joy. Deeper than happiness, it arose from within, from a sense of purpose and meaning, and their loving relationship.

A few weeks later, Erin began experiencing intense nausea and weight loss. She knew something wasn’t quite right. At their 17-week ultrasound, their pediatrician conveyed unexpected news: “You’re pregnant with twin girls.”

The eager parents laughed in disbelief, rejoicing at this incredible news.

“But they are special twins,” the doctor added. “They’re conjoined – they share one heart. Unfortunately, with no possible way of separating them, they won’t survive outside the womb. Neither can live without the other.”

Their hearts skipped a few beats as fear and panic emerged. Confused, Joseph, questioned the doctor to confirm what they’d heard.

Numerous specialists and MRIs would validate the same prognosis. With such a high-risk pregnancy, and only one amniotic sac, delivery would require an even riskier cesarean section.

The couple chose a Catholic hospital. But even there they subtly encouraged abortion without using the word itself.

Upon sharing their news on social media platforms, they received a barrage of anger and hatred from anonymous users claiming they were “torturing” their daughters by choosing life. Through it all, a calming Voice broke through, which Erin recognized as her daughters’ Divine Creator: “Be still, I’ve got this.”

Beautiful, 3.5-pound daughters, Amelia Jane, and Sophia Mari, were born and received baptism and confirmation immediately from the priest. The girls came into the world with their tiny arms wrapped around each other.

Erin and Joseph were able to cuddle and love them for less than 60 minutes after birth. The girls took one deep breath together and let it out for the last time in Joseph’s arms.

Their pregnancy together made one thing abundantly clear: God always has the final say, not doctors, and not bystanders. Everything that happened was as hoped for: they’d prayed for a child, and God sent them two. Erin’s pregnancy and delivery had been safe.

The twins experienced the amazing gift of life and human touch, if only briefly. Their births illustrate that every single person is precious in God’s eyes, that people are more precious than things, and that dignity toward all humanity should be the foundation of our moral vision.

God our Father, Your beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them. Give us grace, we pray, that we may entrust Amelia and Sophia to Your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to Your heavenly Kingdom. Amen

Together Forever

 “Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your god will be my God." ~ Ruth 1:16

James Cameron’s 1997 film Titanic tells a fictional story of two young lovers who meet on the ship’s ill-fated voyage. Perhaps no scene in the movie is more haunting than the elderly couple who wait quietly together as the cold, dark waters of the North Atlantic swallow them.

Although a moment like this may seem even too “cheesy” for Hollywood, it was actually based on the story of an American immigrant couple named Isidor and Ida Straus.

Pillars of New York society, the Strauss were known for their philanthropy, civic engagement, and humility.

Bavarian-born Isador was both a politician and co-owner of Macy’s department store. The couple raised seven children, which kept Ida plenty busy.

The 1^st Class ticketholders boarded in Southampton, accompanied by Isidor’s butler and Ida’s maid. Four days into the luxury liner’s maiden crossing, in calm seas under a moonlit sky, the largest ocean liner in service at the time sideswiped an iceberg. The resulting football-field-sized gash below the ship’s waterline condemned the crew and passengers to almost certain death.

Various survivor interviews confirm that when evacuations began on that fateful night of April 15, 1912, Ida Straus and her husband were standing on the upper deck by Lifeboat 8. Due to his wealth and status, Isador was offered a spot in one of the first boats.

He adamantly refused, stating: “I will not go before the women and children.”

His wife Ida was then persuaded to board a lifeboat instead. In the “Book of Ruth’s” spirit, she too declined by addressing her husband: “We’ve lived together for many years. Where you go, I go.”

The couple made sure that Ida’s maid, Ellen Bird, secured a lifeboat spot. Ida gave the shivering woman her long mink fur coat to keep her warm. “I’ll no longer be needing it,” she declared.

Reliable witnesses later recounted seeing the Strauss’ washed away, arm in arm, as the ship took its fateful plunge to the sea bottom. More than 1,500 lives perished – mostly crew and steerage.

Isador’s frozen body was later recovered, but Mrs. Straus’s body was not.

Amidst the noise surrounding the deaths of numerous distinguished gentlemen, Ida’s sacrifice was mostly overshadowed. Yet, it stood as a powerful contrast to the era’s frequent and scandalous divorces among the wealthy class. She was praised for her love and devotion, highlighting the rarity of such honorable and unwavering commitment.

Their steadfast love and devotion amidst the tragedy serve as a timeless reminder of the power of a bond forged through a lifetime of shared experiences. On their shared monument, the loyal Jewish couple’s love is memorialized with King Soloman’s timeless biblical words:

“Many waters cannot quench love – neither can the floods drown it.” (Song of Songs 8:7)

Loving and eternal God, thank You for the gift of marriage and for being the Source of all love. We pray that our marriages lead to an amplification of Your name. Help us love our partners as Christ loved the church. Amen

One in a Million

“Share each other's burdens, and so obey His command." ~ Galatians 6:2

Their relationship formed in the mid-90s while both served as Board members of an Indianapolis grant-making foundation. Dwayne Isaacs was the foundation's attorney. Terry Kahn served as the HR Director of a local hospital. Calling them friends would’ve been a stretch – they were colleagues who never socialized.

When Kahn left the board in 2010, Isaacs doubted their paths would cross again. He was wrong. Kahn called, suggesting they have lunch.

The two became regular lunch companions every month for the next 10 years. Kahn chose the restaurants, selecting places that took coupons. They always went Dutch.

Over the course of their meetings, the reclusive, penny-pinching Kahn began to share details about himself. His parents fled Nazi Germany and settled in America. After serving three years in Vietnam, Terry joined the Veterans Administration where he worked for 30 years.

Kahn had a reputation for being infamously frugal. He lived in a modest house, drove an old Honda, and carried no cell phone because it was “a crazy expense.” Even when he died in 2021, alone in a nursing facility from non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, he demanded no obituary, emphasizing his commitment to living a simple, unassuming life.

Although Kahn had already instructed Isaacs on where to find his documents once he died, he wouldn't reveal his net worth until pressed to do so in his final days.

The modest Indianapolis man had never married and left behind no immediate family.

Terry directed his money be given to "charity," though he didn’t specify which one(s) he favored. Isaacs revealed later that having to distribute Kahn's portfolio weighed heavily on him.

He was floored when they saw the numbers. Kahn was worth more than $13 million. He’d received a small inheritance from his parents. But he’d been a savvy investor using a simple formula: “Spend less, save more, and invest the rest.”

Isaacs wanted to honor Kahn by giving to organizations with which he would have identified. No donations would go to large organizations, because “they already have enough money!” So, he began cold calling select nonprofits and asking them: “What would you do with $1 million?”

He distributed gifts ranging from $500,000 to $2 million to a dozen worthy groups until the money was gone. Recipients included an organization that provides teachers in poor schools with free educational supplies, a local YMCA for upgrades to its sports facilities, one that sends medical teams to developing nations, and a foundation committed to medical research on liver diseases.

Isaacs believes Kahn would be pleased. He served his country and will continue serving humanity in equally unselfish ways through his posthumous gifts. The man known for being frugal in life will be celebrated for his extraordinary generosity in death.

Loving Father, as Christ loved me and selflessly gave His life for me, may I also pass this generous love onto others as a way to say thank you to You. Fill me with Your love, compassion, and grace. Amen

Treasure of Wisdom

 “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

For Jeremy, some of the happiest hours of his life were spent in the dusty, stale, or dismal purlieus of second-hand bookshops. These places had a kind of charmed, elegant chaos, with a labyrinth of treasures and wisdom.

Books were often arranged precariously on shelves by author's last name or even stacked in piles on the floor and stairs where there was neither rhyme nor reason to the layout. For Jeremy, though, it offered a kind of solitude that emerged when the pain of loneliness gave way to a calm confidence and a realization that when you can love the best of yourself, you can deeply love another.

He reached down and spotted a small book that seemed eerie familiar. Wiping a thin layer of dirt from its cover, he noted that it had remained unsold for decades.

It was an antique copy of O. Henry’s classic, "The Gift of the Magi," first published as a short story in 1906.

On the first page, Jeremy saw his own name in well-known handwriting. It had been a gift from his late grandfather and stolen (or maybe borrowed but never returned). Next to his name, Gramps wrote, “I pray that you rediscover this book someday when you’re older, and it encourages you to reflect on the most important things in life.”

The moment Jeremy began rereading the musty little book, he entered an alternate reality. As the words flowed out, his imagination added vivid colors and the characters came to life. O. Henry’s clever use of irony provides two surprises at the climax of the story.

"The Gift of the Magi" tells a moving tale of a young married couple, Jim and Della, who struggle financially but want to give each other meaningful Christmas presents. Della sells her voluptuous knee-length hair and uses the money to buy a platinum chain to go with Jim's prized pocket watch.

When Jim came home from work that evening, Della admitted to him that she’d sold her curls to purchase the chain for him.

In turn, Jim offered Della her present, a set of expensive ornamental combs. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to use them until her hair grew back out.

The more enthralled Jeremy became in O. Henry’s story, the more personal it became. With his own nuptials just weeks away, it offered thought-provoking advice with perfect timing, that marriage is a deep and loving friendship, so strong that each would sacrifice for the other.

The story also teaches the true meaning of gift-giving. It shows how love and thoughtfulness are more valuable than material possessions and that the most precious gifts are those from the heart.

Jesus, You know that we aren’t perfect. As You have forgiven us, help us to forgive one another. May that attitude of peacemaking, words of forgiveness, and kind grace, be echoed and felt in our home and our life as spouses. Amen

Violets and Paper Boats

 “Don’t look back, lengthen your stride, and press toward the goal." ~ Philippians 3:13-14

The youngest of 13, Maria entered the world in 1850, nine weeks prematurely. Born to  Italian farmers, she’d remain small, frail, and mostly in ill health throughout her life.

Her Dad read to her from a book of missionary stories, which piqued Maria's curiosity. From an impressionable age, her dolls became nuns and she dreamt of joining a religious order, serving God, and becoming a missionary herself.

Her Uncle Luigi, a Catholic priest, lived near a river where she launched small paper boats to “far-off places like India and China.” Into each, Maria placed violets, imagining the tiny purple flowers were missionaries.

Violets were an interesting choice. Their fragrance stimulates our sense receptors with a sweet, but fleeting odor. Humans can’t register the violets’ s aroma for more than a few minutes before our olfactory receptors ignore them. They’ll return later as fragrant as before.

Despite her deep faith and passion, 3 different Catholic religious orders rejected her application due to her ongoing health issues, including the “Daughters of the Sacred Heart,” who had taught and mentored her. She sailed past that obstacle by taking a headmistress position at a local orphanage.

Eventually, Maria’s work ethic, ambition, and ingenuity impressed Pope Leo XIII. He allowed her to make the three sacred promises (poverty, chastity, and obedience) necessary to become a nun. She petitioned the Pontiff for permission to float on to China, as her youthful violets had done, and evangelize the people there.

Instead of China, the Pope sent her to America, to nurture the growing population of impoverished Italians flooding into the States. The once-frail violet sailed on a wooden ship, not of paper; west rather than east.

In 1889, Mother Frances Cabrini, the daughter of Italian farmers, arrived in NYC with six members of the Order she’d formed nine years earlier, the “Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”

The violet’s here-then-gone phenomena describe Mother Cabrini’s selfless works. She moved on to Chicago, then Seattle, New Orleans, and Denver. She arrived in one spot, founded hospitals and schools, then left, only to reappear in another city, working just as diligently.

She founded 67 institutions to serve the sick and poor, rallied community support, and showed a knack for leading staff. She cared for people’s physical and spiritual needs with an astonishing energy and tenacity that energized donors.

Then, like the scent of the violet, she left this world after traveling tirelessly for 28 years, setting up schools, hospitals, orphanages, and novitiates. Just like the molecules of a violet’s scent that lingers in our olfactory senses, Mother Cabrini, the Patron Saint of Immigrants, still works for us through her intercession.

Though she had been born in Italy, that citizenship would earn her the title of the first American saint in 1946 by Pope Pius XII.

“Sweet Jesus, help me! I surrender myself totally to you, to serve you faithfully and to attract many souls to Your holy love.” Amen (St. Frances Xavier Cabrini)