Eileen on Him . . . at least, I try!

Packing

Getting ready to travel, for my sister's (ugh) funeral.

For the kids:  Two sets of good clothes, socks, underwear, belts, Sunday shoes; coupla extra playclothes, extra socks & unders "just in case."  Don't forget the PJs.

I lay them neatly in a laundry basket, since that's such an easy way to transport them; plus, when we're done, we've already got everything that needs washing right there in the laundry basket, right?

I pick up the laundry basket and carry it to my bedroom ("packing central.")  As I place it down on the floor, I suddenly realize:  The laundry basket?  That was Nonie's idea.

I wonder what else I do as a matter of course, because of Noreen?

My Favorite Facebook Remembrance of Nonie

It was from a friend who remembered Nonie from early gradeschool (we only lived in that town until Nonie was half-way through 3rd grade, and I would guess this must've happened in either K or 1st).

The little girl was upset, because she'd spilled ice cream on her dress.

Nonie ran home, grabbed one of her own dresses, and brought it back for her friend to wear.

How sweet is that?  And how typical.

Sufficiently Radical

My sister Nonie's blog.

She stopped posting some time ago, but it's an awesome archive.  A treasure trove of wisdom and grace.  And a testimony to a life well-lived.

Read the whole thing.  You won't be sorry.

Miss you, No'n.

Lyly

When you want to pray but you can't think of anything to say ...

... it's great to have beloved, memorized prayers to fall back on.

That's what I told my children, as we all tried to catch our breath, gasping, shaking and crying over the news of my dear sister Nonie's passing, just yesterday.

(She's gotta be gratified by just how miserable we are.  And we truly are miserable, No'n.)

Our family's favorite prayer, handed down from my dad, is known as the "Power Pack."  It's our go-to prayer in time of crisis.  It's where I'm going today.

Here's another of my sisters, Trisha, recalling the prayer's origin, from a family website post 13 years ago:

I am so excited because I actually can submit a Dad story.  Mom and Dad visited here today because they always liked me best and Dad told me the PP story. [Ed.:  whatever you say, Trish :) ]

He was at a funeral for a cousin of Mom's (Leo Leary, perhaps) and three young freshly-ordained Franciscan priests were there (one of whom was Leo's son).  Dad overheard the three whispering in the back of the vestibule.  One asked the others, 'What do we do now?'  and the response was, 'Well, I guess we should say one Our Father, three Hail Marys and a Glory Be.'  Dad thought, "WOW!  That must be a powerful combination!" and he has called it his Power Pack ever since.

I said a Power Pack for Nonie this morning.  And I swear, she was right here saying it with me.

Miss you, Nonie.  More than I can say.

Love you and I like you ... and I'll see you in the morning. :)