January 30, 1956
Dear Dairy,
This morning, the air was crisp, but at 31°, it felt rather mild for the end of January. Still, as Mini and I walked to church, the frost crunched underfoot, and I kept looking at the sky, wondering if Sister Mary Claire’s prediction would come true—that we’d have snow in milder weather. The air had that stillness, that hush that sometimes comes before a snowfall, as if the world is waiting.
We arrived early, as we often do, and settled into our pew to read through the meditation for today. The words struck me deeply—“He that hath My commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me.” It made me think about how easy it is to say we love God, but the true test is in how we live each day. Sister and I talked about it before Mass, and she explained that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s shown in our actions, in our faithfulness to God’s will.
While waiting, I noticed a book on the podium. Curious, I walked up and saw that it was Father’s copy of the meditation book—the very same one Sister and I use. How sweet that was! It made me think how his homily might align with what we had just read, deepening our understanding even more.
During Mass, Father spoke of the meditation, explaining that true love of God isn’t measured by emotions or how much we feel devotion, but by our obedience. “Who keepeth My commandments, he it is that loveth Me.” He reminded us that many people look for holiness in long prayers or rituals but forget that love is proven in the everyday choices we make to follow God’s will. It was almost as if he had been sitting there with us before Mass, hearing our very discussion! On the walk home, Sister Mary Claire added that this is what makes saints—not grand gestures, but small, daily acts of faithfulness.
Lunch was simple but satisfying—egg salad sandwiches on Sister Mary Claire’s homemade Wonder Bread. There’s nothing quite like fresh, homemade bread, soft and perfect for sandwiches.
In the evening, we heard the terrible news of a helicopter crash in the East—it had collided with a plane, and all aboard were killed. And closer to home, at the corner of the farm, a truck driver, only 28 years old and from Chicago, died in a collision with another truck. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Did he have a wife? Children waiting at home for him? It made me think of today’s meditation—how life is uncertain, and how important it is to live each moment in obedience and love for God.
Before bed, Sister and I prayed especially for them.
Dear Lord, we lift up to You the souls of those who perished in the air collision and the young truck driver who was taken from this life so suddenly. May their souls rest in Your mercy, and may their families find comfort in the hope of eternal life. Sustain those who grieve, Lord, and help us all to live each day in readiness, keeping Your commandments out of love for You. Amen.
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped celery (optional)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onion (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• A pinch of paprika for garnish
1. In a bowl, mash the eggs with a fork until they reach your desired consistency.
2. Stir in the mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined and creamy.
4. Serve on Sister Mary Claire’s homemade Wonder Bread.
A simple meal, but one made better by good bread and good company.
This morning, the air was crisp, but at 31°, it felt rather mild for the end of January. Still, as Mini and I walked to church, the frost crunched underfoot, and I kept looking at the sky, wondering if Sister Mary Claire’s prediction would come true—that we’d have snow in milder weather. The air had that stillness, that hush that sometimes comes before a snowfall, as if the world is waiting.
We arrived early, as we often do, and settled into our pew to read through the meditation for today. The words struck me deeply—“He that hath My commandments and keepeth them; he it is that loveth Me.” It made me think about how easy it is to say we love God, but the true test is in how we live each day. Sister and I talked about it before Mass, and she explained that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s shown in our actions, in our faithfulness to God’s will.
While waiting, I noticed a book on the podium. Curious, I walked up and saw that it was Father’s copy of the meditation book—the very same one Sister and I use. How sweet that was! It made me think how his homily might align with what we had just read, deepening our understanding even more.
During Mass, Father spoke of the meditation, explaining that true love of God isn’t measured by emotions or how much we feel devotion, but by our obedience. “Who keepeth My commandments, he it is that loveth Me.” He reminded us that many people look for holiness in long prayers or rituals but forget that love is proven in the everyday choices we make to follow God’s will. It was almost as if he had been sitting there with us before Mass, hearing our very discussion! On the walk home, Sister Mary Claire added that this is what makes saints—not grand gestures, but small, daily acts of faithfulness.
Lunch was simple but satisfying—egg salad sandwiches on Sister Mary Claire’s homemade Wonder Bread. There’s nothing quite like fresh, homemade bread, soft and perfect for sandwiches.
In the evening, we heard the terrible news of a helicopter crash in the East—it had collided with a plane, and all aboard were killed. And closer to home, at the corner of the farm, a truck driver, only 28 years old and from Chicago, died in a collision with another truck. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. Did he have a wife? Children waiting at home for him? It made me think of today’s meditation—how life is uncertain, and how important it is to live each moment in obedience and love for God.
Before bed, Sister and I prayed especially for them.
Dear Lord, we lift up to You the souls of those who perished in the air collision and the young truck driver who was taken from this life so suddenly. May their souls rest in Your mercy, and may their families find comfort in the hope of eternal life. Sustain those who grieve, Lord, and help us all to live each day in readiness, keeping Your commandments out of love for You. Amen.
Egg Salad Recipe
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp mustard (yellow or Dijon)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped celery (optional)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onion (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• A pinch of paprika for garnish
1. In a bowl, mash the eggs with a fork until they reach your desired consistency.
2. Stir in the mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Mix until well combined and creamy.
4. Serve on Sister Mary Claire’s homemade Wonder Bread.
A simple meal, but one made better by good bread and good company.
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