Stuff Day 387

Hebrews 4:16  Let us then approach the Thorn of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Time of need......time of need......most definitely where I am right now, as I face the days and weeks ahead, Lord give me strength.  Burial mass was said, eulogies read, respects where paid, precious memories where shared and "Sweet Little Rose`s," earthly body was laid rest on a beautiful sunny Saturday.  Now just as I did for my mom 12 years ago, the most difficult and dreadfully painful job of cleaning out Rose`s home and sorting through "her stuff.".   What do you do with a lifetime of stuff, treasuries and trinkets collected over the years, that made a house a home!  A home that was so important to Rose that she pushed herself to extreme measures to stay there with all  the comforts of home and "her stuff."

One day at a time, Sweet Jesus, the tears will flow, the healing and grieving will continue and one room, one closet, one dresser, and one cabinet at a time, the job will be done with love, honor and compassion for my "Sweet Little Rose."

Early this morning I found my first treasure!  In the silence of early morn, at my kitchen counter I thumbed through Rose`s collection of prayers booklets and cards that she kept close at hand, on the nightstand by her bed.   Tears of joy and excitement flowed as I came across a yellowed- well- worn page with  handwritten names at the top.  Peg, Linda & Rick, Gosyes((not sure of this name difficult to read) Joe and Joe........Rose did you pray the following prayer on a regular basis for all of us?  Are you still praying for us from heaven?

PRAYER BEFORE A CRUCIFIX:  Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Your face I humbly kneel: and with burning soul pray and beseech You to fix deep in my heart lively sentiment of Faith, Hope and Charity; true contrition for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment; while I contemplate with great love and tender pity Your five wounds, pondering upon the within me; while I call to mind the words which David your prophet said to You, my Jesus, "They have pierced My hands and My feet, they have numbered all My bones."  Amen.....I miss you so much, I know the pain will subside and that your love and memories with carry me to complete the task at hand!