(Picture courtesy Gloria's family)I've said this before and truly believe it. When you do the right thing, unexpected miracles happen.
A parishioner and the sister of one of Mom's dearest friends passed away--Gloria Karpinski Battisti. She was a tremendous person in her own right; however, well known as well for being the wife of Judge Battisti. Click here to read a longer version of a story I wrote depicting her life.
So our choir wanted to sing Gloria's Funeral Mass. Now, if you have been reading previous entries, you know that I have been a bit under the weather. Mercedes and Diane, Gloria's sisters, asked my Choir Director if I could sing a few songs. God was with me. My speaking voice sounded awful but my singing voice came out like an angel. I'm not patting myself on the back. I felt like those singers from other countries who speak with an accent but sound 'American' when they sing. It was the funniest thing!
Mercedes and Mom would debate after Mass WHO I was singing to and for. Mercedes proclaimed it was for her, and of course, my Mother said hands down it was for her!
During the funeral, I recognized one of the funeral directors.
Talk about a small world and one of the strangest things I could ever imagine.
One of the funeral directors also works at Progressive Field during baseball season. When we would go to the games and Mom was tired, we'd often get a wheelchair at the gate. Well, time and again, this man got to know us and before we even requested a chair, had one waiting at the gate for Mom. He'd wheel her to the top of our row and come back at the end of the game.
We've met so many special people along our journey who were strangers and became dear friends.
Well, this was one of God's angels we met along the way.
And to see him again where I least expected to meet him was mind blowing.
Afterward, I went up and spoke with him. I happened to have one of Mom's letters and passed it along to him. He was very sorry for my loss yet his face lit up when he spoke of Mom. He gave me his business card and said to keep in touch and that he'd see me at "Jacob's Field" come April!
Then we were all invited to lunch after the funeral. I must say, I was a bit apprehensive because I really do not like doing things by myself. But, sometimes you have to do something that makes you uncomfortable to help others. And am I glad I did! Not only did I dine with Mercedes and Diane but while we waited for them to get to the restaurant from the cemetery, I met the wife of one of my contacts...the friend of someone I used to work with AND saw a fellow high school mate and her mother.
I had a wonderful afternoon and it all started with sweaty palms and heart palpitations because I was afraid to venture into the unknown.
Where God is involved and when you are doing something to help someone else, never be afraid!
A parishioner and the sister of one of Mom's dearest friends passed away--Gloria Karpinski Battisti. She was a tremendous person in her own right; however, well known as well for being the wife of Judge Battisti. Click here to read a longer version of a story I wrote depicting her life.
So our choir wanted to sing Gloria's Funeral Mass. Now, if you have been reading previous entries, you know that I have been a bit under the weather. Mercedes and Diane, Gloria's sisters, asked my Choir Director if I could sing a few songs. God was with me. My speaking voice sounded awful but my singing voice came out like an angel. I'm not patting myself on the back. I felt like those singers from other countries who speak with an accent but sound 'American' when they sing. It was the funniest thing!
Mercedes and Mom would debate after Mass WHO I was singing to and for. Mercedes proclaimed it was for her, and of course, my Mother said hands down it was for her!
During the funeral, I recognized one of the funeral directors.
Talk about a small world and one of the strangest things I could ever imagine.
One of the funeral directors also works at Progressive Field during baseball season. When we would go to the games and Mom was tired, we'd often get a wheelchair at the gate. Well, time and again, this man got to know us and before we even requested a chair, had one waiting at the gate for Mom. He'd wheel her to the top of our row and come back at the end of the game.
We've met so many special people along our journey who were strangers and became dear friends.
Well, this was one of God's angels we met along the way.
And to see him again where I least expected to meet him was mind blowing.
Afterward, I went up and spoke with him. I happened to have one of Mom's letters and passed it along to him. He was very sorry for my loss yet his face lit up when he spoke of Mom. He gave me his business card and said to keep in touch and that he'd see me at "Jacob's Field" come April!
Then we were all invited to lunch after the funeral. I must say, I was a bit apprehensive because I really do not like doing things by myself. But, sometimes you have to do something that makes you uncomfortable to help others. And am I glad I did! Not only did I dine with Mercedes and Diane but while we waited for them to get to the restaurant from the cemetery, I met the wife of one of my contacts...the friend of someone I used to work with AND saw a fellow high school mate and her mother.
I had a wonderful afternoon and it all started with sweaty palms and heart palpitations because I was afraid to venture into the unknown.
Where God is involved and when you are doing something to help someone else, never be afraid!
No comments:
Post a Comment