Out East

Hello from Massachusetts. I'm out here this weekend visiting a good friend of mine. I flew out of Detroit Thursday evening and head home again tomorrow morning. Its been a pretty low key weekend, a good break. Friday morning we woke up early to Cheryl's niece and nephew (she lives with them). Maddie (age 5) was peeking through the bottom of the door, waiting to meet me. She and 3 year old James warmed up instantly, jumping all over the bed, us, singing songs, talking, and generally being kids. Good times. Later in the morning Cheryl's parents stopped by with their new dog, Foxy, a 4.5 lb pomeranian. He's barely big enough to classify as a dog, but awfully cute :D maybe my next dog will be one of the tiny ones... hmmm... on second thought, five minutes of rough-housing with the BOC would have flattened him, so maybe i'll stick with the big ones (not that i have any plans to get another dog).

Friday afternoon Cheryl and I headed for Maine- one of the most beautiful places in the world. I absolutely love it!!! We went to York, ME, which is only about an hour from where Cheryl lives. We stayed at a motel right on the ocean for Friday and Sat nights. I'm shocked at how early it gets dark here. Certainly it gets dark earlier and earlier at home, but it is dark here by 5.00 pm!! It makes it feel much later somehow.

Friday evening I went out myself for a walk on the beach, and just unwound and prayed and enjoyed the ohsoadorable lab puppy out with his owner. I wished the BOC were there, they'd love running on the great empty expanse of beach, chasing down the seagulls. Saturday we went for a long walk on the beach too. I think i pray best near the ocean or lakes... they somehow still my soul like nowhere else on earth. There is something so comforting and so calming about the waves, constantly changing and comforting in their constancy. God's glory is so clearly displayed in all of it, the beautiful rocky coastline, the sands of the beach, the birds, waves, sunshine, breeze - all of it!

Sat night we went to see the movie Gone Baby Gone. It was very well done and very disturbing. I don't think I recommend it to mothers as it involves a child disappearing. It was definitely a movie that makes you think... and think... and think... I need to go see Bella again, that was such an excellent movie!! Sunday we slept in late, had breakfast, went to the beach again and I had another great walk with God. Finally we headed back for Massachusetts for an afternoon/evening of chilling, playing with James and Maddie (who are apparently my new best friends), Mass, and now football (thus I'm blogging :)

Its been a good visit, good retreat, good to see Cheryl, and it will be good to be home again. As always, going away always makes me thankful for my life, for home, for the many blessings God has lavished on me in my home, my BOC, my friends, my parish, my family... so so so many blessings.