Kaleidoscopic Tones

       She Sets The Tone

       Years ago, my husband admonished me- I had been scolding our children- "But what did I say that was wrong?" I asked. "It's not what you said- it was the tone of your voice."

       I have never forgotten his wise words.

       Currently Rachel, a twenty-two year old preschool teacher lives with me. She is a song set to motion. Every morning she greets me with melodic tones- Early morning her laughter brightens somber nights. Her "good morning" has a lyrical tone- for whomever she meets- a tone that calms when stress enervates us.

       Rachel lifts spirits and in so doing, prepares the groundwork for peacemaking. In the Beatitudes,  peacemakers are called blessed children of God, but they are also blessed members of the family of humankind.  I like to think that Rachel's early morning contribution to our lives will contribute to a broader peace in our families, community and the world.

Kaleidoscopic Delight

While scanning an icycled evergreen tree, a joyous sky-snowflaked eyelashes

Dedicated to Rachel

Kaleidoscopic Potential To Heal

During the early morning mass- a prayerful inspiration prompted me to dwell and pose this question.

Question:  

Can cord blood be collected from the birthing mother to be analyzed, regarding any autistic tendencies in the baby? 

That there be two purposes for the research:

1. The cord blood to be stored for future implantation.
2. To be examined immediately after birth, in a myriad of ways.

The purpose of this second project is to compare the consistency and complexity of the mother's cord blood in the autistic child, in contrast to the mother's  cord blood of non-autistic children.

If anyone has additional information regarding this research approach I can be reached at my Blog: ruthinterfaith.blogspot.com

Here is an additional website for some more information on autism and cord blood: Does-Cord-Blood-Speak-For-Autism

In The Midst Of The Moment, Contrast Teaches Me

How do I respond to an ultimate challenge?

How do I plan for an ultimate journey?

With serene courage?

          It is early morning- I am ill. I can not attend my Holy Hour at the Adoration Chapel.

        Thus my Holy Hour has been at home- On a small table before me-side by side lies a large, dark gray TV hand control. It's buttons are bright white with blood red. Like exclamation points they catch my eye. Adjacent sits a lighter gray, small portable phone. It's buttons are neutral- they blend into the background- and I get the message- the meaning of contrast- the meeting- the teaching in the stillness.

        My eyes travel to our courtyard, the greenness of the grass and trees awaiting the gentle touch of snowflakes to come. Suddenly an "aha"awakens me from my lethargy-

       Somehow, in a mystical moment, I think of the two, the TV control and telephone, as teaching the power of contrast. The TV control becomes a human  reminder of the powerful control of our divine Creator. The small telephone, a reminder of the mysterious part we play as co-creators during our lifetime. We journey through the valleys and the well springs with the divine gifts that are showered upon us.

        On the one hand we are told that we are but a grain of sand on the seashore. But when we turn to Genesis we hear Eve's words radiate our memories, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” (Genesis 4:1-2) With the help of the Lord we are privileged as co-creators to bring forth another human being from the cradle of our wombs.

       As the sun sets, I meditate upon our Father who gives us life and takes us through and beyond the storms, trials and valley of tears toward the "kaleidoscopic mystery of afterlife." Is it an ascending ride on the rainbow of our hope? The photographic eye of my mind sends me sailing, scaling-the heavens. I ponder my place- I acknowledge my reality. Am I not a drop of water in the ocean? As I reflect on the trillions of human beings who have trod the trials of this life- as we ponder the mystery of the next. But is there a next?

       Nearby- my son's and husband's graves is an inscription on a mausoleum... "Life is a journey that is homeward bound."

       Do I really believe that? If I do even partially,. how long should I plan for my biggest challenge that I face at 89 and 3/4?

       Years ago, it took me six months to plan a trip to Rome- for my husband Willard and myself. How long will it take me to plan for my eternal life?

        Catholicism teaches that we are a temple of God- that Jesus rests within our heart when we welcome Him- that we are to try to be "holy."

       At first I am most uncomfortable with such challenges- but if I at least try to grow prayerfully- remembering as loving in the light of little St. Theresa's teachings, "Do even the little things with love and gratitude to God."

       Dear patient readers,
I welcome your comments, suggestions, even deletions- I'm a little too wordy but I'd love to hear from you!