Mothers have a special chance to make of their lives a gift. In so doing, they become treasures. When a mother makes that rare choice, a conscious decision to live for love and make one’s whole life a gift to others, her life is like a precious jewel box, radiant with beauty. It calls to…
Read MoreThe women really do wear red stiletto heels with tight blue jeans and big hoop earrings, with a cigarette in hand. Red lipstick and long nails, bulky jewelry, big purses strapped over their shoulders. I feel like I am in a Danny DeVito movie that takes place in Queens in the 80’s. …
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There is a name for these days, so warm, soft, and mild: “Ottobrata Romana,” or “Roman Day.” Since we have no A/C and were sweltering all summer, and since we are braced for the worst about freezing all winter (there is a heater but the landlord controls it), and since our windows are always open…
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This is one of my favorite icons. Unlike icons in which Mary is looking down toward Jesus and holding him, such as in Our Lady of Tenderness, in this image, she is looking at the viewer, with her hands raised in prayerful supplication. In her lap is an orb, with Christ inside. Stars…
Read MoreI am grateful for this year with all six children under my roof, all getting along, the four older ones each other’s best friends I am grateful that Sebastian is school-aged and so delightful (most of the time) I am grateful that we live in a cottage because it feels like we’re on vacation every…
Read MoreIt took 29 documents, 9 people’s cooperation, and 6 hours over the course of 3 days of my being at City Hall, to obtain residency in Frascati. Residency is necessary to have access to everything from doctors to trash collection to. . . you guessed it, soccer teams. Sebastian and Jacob’s registration on…
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