Hope/New Life

What a weird winter this has been! Temperatures are above normal: snowflakes scarce, sunny days promise spring, worry that it’s too soon, rainy and dark days, kids playing outside with no coats. What does it mean --global warming?

At the time of my last blog (July 2019), we were sadly remembering the loss of our eight mighty oaks sheltering the sidewalk to our front entry. At that time I compared the remaining trunks to the tombstones of some of our Sisters, giants whose lives and work made lasting impressions in our lives and in the history of our community.

A few months later, there appeared eighteen young saplings planted out in front. Someday they will form two “groves”, nice shady places to talk, to welcome visitors. They’re twice my height and have a protective screen around their trunks to stop the hungry deer from stripping their bark. But – is it my imagination, or wishful thinking, that tiny red buds seem to be emerging from their young branches? A promise of new leaves! The first signs of daffodils, irises, and “Ghost” lilies are sprouting in all their regular places. I hear the timorous song of returning birds.

I think of Sr. Eileen making profession of first vows this past Saturday. And I think of one visitor in particular, a woman who expresses interest in joining us, and the hopes the two of them give us for new life in our community. The reading (Matthew 17:1-9) for that ceremony, included within first vespers for the second Sunday of Lent, spoke of the Transfiguration that the chosen apostles were privileged to witness. “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” It was all so appropriate.

Instead of Peter’s proposed tents, let us build a welcoming community for new members, and a heartfelt prayer of gratitude, as we come down from this mountain of exhilaration.

         Sr. Mary Carol Hellmann, OSB