Two weekends ago my wife, myself and two of my four children journeyed to New York City to visits very dear friends.

I began writing about H and P a few writing ago and this is the song I used,

The carpenters Merry Christmas Darling

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=lV5ENWOQ6d8

My wife and I met our friends over 20 years ago and they are part of our foundation of faith. We met through our parish school and our families became friendly. Cook outs birthday parties for our kids etc. They were the most open armed people I had ever met. They were helping everybody all the time. Nothing was a big deal. They both worked together in a health care related business they co-founded with partners and grew it into a huge business and had I believe 15 offices and hundreds of employee’s.

I do not know all the facts of what happened to their business it was on the new york stock exchange too, if memory serves me. The laws in their industry regarding in home health providers changed drastically and they were not being compensated for services rendered to the patients they were helping. They fought in court I believe and in the meantime they felt an obligation to take care of their patients and employees so they guaranteed the company financially. That way the elderly and handicapped as well as their employees would be taken care of during the court process.

Well, the courts ruled and the new law stood. They were losing everything . But were they really ?  Absolutely not!

It was a painful and sad time for them their kids and all of their friends our hearts were broken as well. They had some friends who were there still and others that dissapeared too. Similar to my cancer situation.

But you see, God had something better in store. I will get to that shortly.

 

We watched their family home get taken apart, their home was sold and they found a new home that was in their new budget that was beautiful. It was even more beautiful because of them and the Spirit of God that resides with them.

At their old home back in that day they would host family parties for many families. Their Christmas parties were among the most beautiful that I had ever seen.

People were not drinking to access their could be 100 people there and it still felt warm. Their home was large and had a beautiful Christmas tree at least 15 foot tall. They were part of the Arts so their friends were there with equipment ,microphones and were singing.  The 3 sisters that would come would sing that Karen Carpenter song ” Merry Christmas Darling “,  and it was so beautiful. The whole group that was there were family based and many where from our church.

We often remember those gatherings so fondly.

It was at their home back in the summer of 1999 that my wife, myself and children were invited to an impromptu back yard cookout.

So, we were sitting there at the table on the deck, the kids were in the pool and another couple came in L and V. and joined us. During that time I said hey what’s that retreat thing you guys mentioned before? Within moments one of my friends L took off and returned with an application for Cursillo an incredible retreat encounter at a center in Methuen Ma . ST. Basils. My wife and I lived our Cursillo in Oct and Nov of that year. It was life changing.

You see, our friends H and P had heavy rain fall in their lives. They lived through what could have been a devastating loss, but it wasn’t. Because God’s got them. And they ADORE HIM.

Furthermore, P being a guy like me had feelings I am sure like I did, with this cancer that he too felt like he had failed his family. But you know, he never failed them nor did  his wife H. When the laws changed, they protected their patients and employees until they had given all they had.  P. and S. began the climb back up the mountain to see the sun again together. During this difficult time they displayed such courage. They grew their faith together and sponsored many for the retreat center. They represent Jesus Christ in action to so many. H. Started cleaning homes and became a real estate broker too. P  got a new  job in a medical field and if that were not enough  P then applied and was excepted into the deaconate and was vetted through the very difficult process of becoming a Roman Catholic Deacon. It was I believe a 5 year process. My wife and I were honored to attend p’s ordination at the Cathedral in Boston. The deaconate training was very tough and his wife H was part of the process too. But they shined as a couple and were excepted to serve God in this ministry. They see Victory and live it through God !

I will continue with this soon beautiful story  🙂  It gets ever better 🙂 Praise God !

 

To P and H  Love D and J 🙂

I Will Be Your Friend by Michael W. Smith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWfXLXdpfYg

God bless you,

Danny