I went to church at our parish for the last time (for awhile at least) this morning and there were times where I was trying not to cry.  I will miss my parish so much - there is so much that they do well there, and there are also some very wonderful people that I’ll miss seeing every week.  I know I’ll be back, but I also know that it won’t be the same.

At church I noticed that our resident big family was in present in the pew in front and across from us.  This in itself wasn’t particularly remarkable, but they were there with only their mother.  Next time I’m tempted to think I can’t possibly get my family out the door to Mass just by myself I’ll think of her sitting there with her nine children.  They range in age from about 18 mo to 12 or 13 and she’s pregnant with their tenth.    Yes, she looked tired, but they were there - dressed,combed (mostly at least! *grin*) and ready to go.