Coincidence is God's way
of remaining anonymous.
of remaining anonymous.
Wow, that quote really
impressed me...since the discovery of my lymphoma turned out to be purely
coincidental. I thought I was having appendicitus...which I wasn't. But a CT
scan determined something unusual about my lymph nodes near my diaphragm. That
CT eventually turned into a biopsy...and a cancer diagnosis. I got very
lucky...to have found it sooner rather than later.
impressed me...since the discovery of my lymphoma turned out to be purely
coincidental. I thought I was having appendicitus...which I wasn't. But a CT
scan determined something unusual about my lymph nodes near my diaphragm. That
CT eventually turned into a biopsy...and a cancer diagnosis. I got very
lucky...to have found it sooner rather than later.
A friend asked me recently, if
my illness has changed the way I think about God. Not really. I think I have a
pretty healthy and happy relationship with a power greater than myself. But my
illness has changed the way I think about other people and their relationship
with God...and how much they want to intervene for me...on my behalf...through
the power of prayer. That fact has totally blown me away.
my illness has changed the way I think about God. Not really. I think I have a
pretty healthy and happy relationship with a power greater than myself. But my
illness has changed the way I think about other people and their relationship
with God...and how much they want to intervene for me...on my behalf...through
the power of prayer. That fact has totally blown me away.
Almost all the emails, texts,
Facebook postings and cards in the mail, from friends and strangers alike,
usually end with the same message...they will keep me in their prayers. And not
just their personal prayers.
Facebook postings and cards in the mail, from friends and strangers alike,
usually end with the same message...they will keep me in their prayers. And not
just their personal prayers.
My name has been enrolled in
the League of St. Anthony in Mt. Calvary Wisconsin. My name has also been added
to a list under the special patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes
France...and at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville
Illinois. And the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will be remembering my
name at mass every day and in their good works. I am humbled.
the League of St. Anthony in Mt. Calvary Wisconsin. My name has also been added
to a list under the special patronage of Our Lady of Lourdes in Lourdes
France...and at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville
Illinois. And the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement will be remembering my
name at mass every day and in their good works. I am humbled.
And it isn't just the volume of
prayers...but the prayer items that have been sent to me.
prayers...but the prayer items that have been sent to me.
First I received an Alex and
Ani bracelet from a friend in Rhode Island. It has a sacred dove
charm...synonymous with peace, faith, grace and truth.
Ani bracelet from a friend in Rhode Island. It has a sacred dove
charm...synonymous with peace, faith, grace and truth.
I also received a bracelet like
the one Good Morning America's Robin Roberts wears as she fights the good
fight...it reads: Light Love Power Presence RRR
the one Good Morning America's Robin Roberts wears as she fights the good
fight...it reads: Light Love Power Presence RRR
Even though I grew up in the
Catholic faith...and have fond and scary memories of the book called "Lives of
the Saints"...I have learned about holy people I wasn't even aware of...like St.
Peregrine, who was cured of cancerous diseases. I now have a small medal with
his likeness on it. And Father Solanus Casey. My sister-in-law sent me a small
picture of Fr. Solanus. He was assigned to the St. Bonaventure monastery in
Detroit where he spent 20 years in the service of others. He is currently being
considered for sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Catholic faith...and have fond and scary memories of the book called "Lives of
the Saints"...I have learned about holy people I wasn't even aware of...like St.
Peregrine, who was cured of cancerous diseases. I now have a small medal with
his likeness on it. And Father Solanus Casey. My sister-in-law sent me a small
picture of Fr. Solanus. He was assigned to the St. Bonaventure monastery in
Detroit where he spent 20 years in the service of others. He is currently being
considered for sainthood in the Catholic Church.
Oh, and it's not just
Catholics...but all denominations invoking help and guidance for me. St. John
Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor sent me a beautiful prayer shawl from the ladies
of the prayer shawl ministry. The idea being that when I wrap myself in the
shawl...I am wrapping myself in a hug.
Catholics...but all denominations invoking help and guidance for me. St. John
Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor sent me a beautiful prayer shawl from the ladies
of the prayer shawl ministry. The idea being that when I wrap myself in the
shawl...I am wrapping myself in a hug.
I was also given a huge stack
of prayer cards with my name inserted in the first paragraph...to give to people
who want to pray for me...but maybe can't find the right words. Although, when
it comes to praying, I don't think there are any wrong or right words.
of prayer cards with my name inserted in the first paragraph...to give to people
who want to pray for me...but maybe can't find the right words. Although, when
it comes to praying, I don't think there are any wrong or right words.
I do absolutely believe in the
power of prayer. I am already a product of it. After my older brother was
born, my mom was told she probably wouldn't be having any more children. But my
mom had her heart set on having a baby girl. So, every Tuesday night she went
to church to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary...that she might some day be
blessed with a daughter. And 8 years later, because often these things take
time, my mother gave birth to a baby girl...on a Tuesday...in the month of
May...Mary's month. Yes, that was me...Mary Beth. Coincidence? Or God's way
of remaining anonymous?
power of prayer. I am already a product of it. After my older brother was
born, my mom was told she probably wouldn't be having any more children. But my
mom had her heart set on having a baby girl. So, every Tuesday night she went
to church to pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary...that she might some day be
blessed with a daughter. And 8 years later, because often these things take
time, my mother gave birth to a baby girl...on a Tuesday...in the month of
May...Mary's month. Yes, that was me...Mary Beth. Coincidence? Or God's way
of remaining anonymous?
