Spiritual Sunday 2 Years Ago

The third Sunday of every month, my church has a Community Breakfast with all the proceeds going to Saint Michael’s Parish in Nigeria. October is a special month because 2 years ago I walked into the breakfast by myself, the first time I went out along since Rich passed away. As I started walking in I realized I couldn’t do it but as I turned to leave there were too many people in line so I continued on. Once inside, I scanned the seats, everyone was so cheerful and happy while I was in tears. I found an empty seat across from a couple and sat down. They immediately welcomed my with smiles and told me they have been sitting behind me all year. I gave them a short version of Rich passing away on Easter 2024 and some how this was the beginning of a friendship.

This is a recent church breakfast with Marcia and Dan, so much food and great company.

For the next few weeks I sat in my seat while they sat a few pews behind me, stopping to say hi after mass. After a few more weeks the had their son with them and they mentioned Dan and the son were going to get pizza and asked if I wanted to come over to there house to have pizza with them. Before I could even reply, Dan told Marcia to ride with me so she could point me in the right direction while the guys went to get the pizza. I had a nice time with them, learning where they moved from and about their family.

As the weeks went by I became more comfortable with them and since I forgot their names (I have a bad memory) so I called them my kids. They started calling me mom and that’s how my “church angels” and I became a family.

For some reason I thought they were in their mid fifties until Marcia was talking about Dan’s birthday and he was 69. I was so surprised to find out that she was 71! I finally remembered their names and it was so easy to remember them. Our drapery shop was Mar-C’s so that was close to Marcia and I have a grandson Dan plus their son’s name is CJ and I also have a grandson CJ!

From this time on I sat with them at church every week. Then they asked if I wanted to go to dinner and again before I had a chance to decline, Dan told me I was going with them. This went on every Saturday evening after the 4pm Mass.

For the past two years we have dinners at their house or my house and it seems like I have known them a lifetime. There are times at church when a song or the gospel hits me with a memory and I have tried to hide my tears but without success at times. Marcia takes my hand to comfort me, no words because their is nothing to say but she and Dan are always by my side when needed.

I am invited to their Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas meals and when they put in a backyard pool this summer, they call and say “come on over”.

This was last Thanksgiving dinner at Marcia’s and Dan’s house with their daughter and Dan’s brother and wife.

Our Saturday evening dinners are still going on and last night they took me to Good Fella’s Sea Food Hut and was the food delicious! Of course the portions are way to large for me so I always have a to go box to take home. The fish sandwich I had yesterday was so huge I’m sure I’ll have two more meals from it!

I’m doing much better over the days, months and years but Rich will always be with me in spirit and I know Marcia and Dan would love him as much as he would love my church angels.

May you all have a blessed Sunday and an awesome week. Until next time, BLOG ON!