In appreciation...

"Gosh, does she do a lot"... These were the words my friend used when she reported her busy day. One of her co-workers is on vacation. It started me thinking about how we can easily take others for granted...

I'm in orientation at my new job, and yesterday I had the privilege of shadowing various members of the rehabilitation team: each member's role unique and necessary for the functioning of the whole team, for the benefit of the patients being treated, for successful outcomes.

I was recently reminded of all the many friends and family members who contributed to my child's high school success; all the people who have made some contribution in my own life... and the phrase, "no man is an island" comes to mind. This pandemic has proven that for most people, isolation is hard. It's difficult to thrive when we are not connected to others, even more difficult to thrive when we are not connected to God... and the very nature of God is community: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

I attended the funeral service of a stalwart member of my church community today. It was clear to me that this man lived his faith. He loved and served his family, his community, his church, his country. It was an honor to have known him.

May we be contributors, and not just consumers along this journey of life. May we be more appreciative of the role others play in making our own lives and jobs run smoothly. May we do our best to make a difference in the lives of others, remembering that we are who we are because someone made a difference in our own. May we thank God for the people He places in our lives, for His providential care, and for the threefold love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.