We are all born of our parents by the miracle of God’s design of creation. I am sitting here today with Spring outside and I am just  so enamored by its beauty
I was thinking about the fact that it is no coincidence as to where we are born and live. God predestined that for us before our birth that fact is stated in Psalm # 139.
Our lives are mysteries to us  but they are not a mystery to God.
I love being a New Englander. The snow never bothered me until I became handicapped and have been reminded to be careful not to fall on the ice because if I hurt my right arm I can not take care of myself.
I love that I again live here. Since my illness almost took my life I am very cognizant of Everything around me like I have New eyes looking out, like a new sense of smell and a crisper ear to hear nature. I have been in essence a prisioner in my own home. The one thing I counted on was to watch the Seasons Change with anticipation of it and then projecting forward to the next season to see what would come.
NEW ENGLAND IN THE SPRING
When I was diagnosed with terminal cancer nearly 3 years ago, I projected my self towards the different Seasons that were coming birthdays and anniversaries. Projecting gave me a reason to fight for life. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring including me. I have my next scan the end of. April. 🙂
Okay, the bottom line is this I look at each day and each opportunity to experience the moments of the day in a new way. To stop and look at the  beauty surrounding me , the smells,sights, and sounds of nature.
I came by this beautiful video of New England and it still does not capture its full beauty.
My wife and I got out of dodge for the night Saturday and it was very nice. It seems that since I got sick, I kinda dread going anywhere over night from my home. It just seems like a lot of work physically and emotionally. It is a bit of a hurdle for me.
My New York trip this past  Dec made me realize how much I needed to push myself to go, live and experience. And, as I did that in New York I was also confronted with the reality of my disabilities. It was something that I needed to confront and more importantly my wife and I spent priceless time with our friends who hosted us.
A couple of weeks ago a dear friend of my wife called and asked if we would come to dinner to her home in Peterborough NH ,she suggested that we should stay in her guest room so that we would not have to drive home late in the evening.
My wife really wanted to go and I said yes. In my mind I thought to myself God, it’s a long ride, what will the environment be like? Ice, stairs etc.
But, having watched my wife sacrifice and struggle so much over the last three years for my needs and those of my families I said, if she wants to go then I am going. It is her turn for joy. I cannot be selfish.
So yesterday , Saturday , we packed the overnight bag and went to the four o’clock mass. After mass we were off to Peterborough N.H. to see our friends C and her significant other R at their home . We arrived at their home around 6:30 pm and the driveway was heavily sanded so I was relieved that it was not as slippery as it could have been. When I went into  the door I saw that there was  a 16 step stairwell up to the main level that had no railings. They were in the process of renovation and did not have them up for painting. I took a deep breath and my wife and I headed up. Going up was fine but  my immediate question to myself was,how do I get out? I said to myself that’s tomorrow’s concern.
We settled in for the evening and had a wonderful dinner. We shared and talked ubout life our families etc.
I was so pleased to see my wife out of her every day element and just enjoying herself. Â It made my effort well worth it. Our friends there in NH are very kind and caring people. We ended the evening at 1:00 am and the time just flew. I was awake most of the night but was praying. The accommodations were very nice.I just was not very tired. At 4:00 am I quietly sat up in bed and with no lights grabbed my kindle it was time to get my blog ready for Sunday so it got done and I posted it.
We started out on Sundahy morning and I said okay I need to figure out how to negotiate this stairway they then thought oops they had not thought-of that particular delima. Â My friend Rick said no problem I will stay right in front of you just use my shoulder so down the stairs we all went. The outside had been sanded again so it was not icy for me and Rick had warmed my wife’s car for us too.
We next followed them to downtown Peterborough for breakfast at the Peterborough diner which is in an old train car. It was packed with patrons  and the food was excellent. Apparently the Soprano’ s was filmed there too  and every politician seems to drop in there too. It was fun.
We then headed home and my wife made a boiled dinner for the family. She may be Italian but she sure knows how to make a wonderful Irish boiled dinner.
I am finding that I need to say yes to the nicer things in life. God wants us to enjoy this life. It’s not just about surviving life. Not only that but by saying yes to the offer to visit our friends. God gave me a deeper appreciation of our friends and we shared conversation that revealed a faith in God that was really beautiful.
We need to be open to receive. We do not know what God may have planned for us in any given moment. If I had just stayed home on Saturday evening it would have been a real shame a lost opportunity.
You know, this morning after prayer I sat down to work on this blog and began to write after 3o minutes or so I hit the delete button. It was not my typical writing and was junk. So , I decided that I would just forget about the posting today.
A short while later I visited my draft folder and found an untitled draft with this song link that I saved a long time ago. I am talking nearly a year ago.
The writing that I scrapped earlier today was based somewhat on a very special sense of God’s presence in my prayer early this morning while I was in bed. I was having a difficult time quantifying how beautifully safe I was feeling as I was praying for all the sick, those who died and everyone’s needs. I felt and saw a visible light that enveloped me for a few moments. When I tried to write earlier about this account I just went in circles trying to describe it.
And then I found this song tucked away. How fitting.
Just a closer walk with thee. Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson
I like many Roman Catholics feel very blessed to have our Saints of our church.
We are charged by God and the Holy Spirit to try and become Saints ourselves..
I really got to know about Padre Pio through my mother in law and by a friend. My friend lived in Italy and knew then Padre Pio. She went to confession with him. My friend was a healing minister for the Boston archdiocese.
So, I remember him and ask him to advocate for my healing as well.
Prayer of St. Pio of Pietrelcina after Holy Communion
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have
You present so that I do not forget You.
You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
and I need Your strength,
that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life,
and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light,
and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice
and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You
very much, and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is,
I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.
Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes;
death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength,
so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.
It is getting late and death approaches,
I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows.
O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile!
Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers. I need You.
Let me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of the bread,
so that the Eucharistic Communion be the Light which disperses the darkness,
the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You,
if not by communion, at least by grace and love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it,
but the gift of Your Presence, oh yes, I ask this of You!
Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart,
Your Spirit, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more.
With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth
and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. Amen.
Stay with me, Lord – Prayer of St. Pio after Holy Communion
Prayer for the Intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina
Dear God, You generously blessed Your servant,
St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
with the gifts of the Spirit.
You marked his body with the five wounds
of Christ Crucified, as a powerful witness
to the saving Passion and Death of Your Son.
Endowed with the gift of discernment,
St. Pio labored endlessly in the confessional
for the salvation of souls.
With reverence and intense devotion
in the celebration of Mass,
he invited countless men and women
to a greater union with Jesus Christ
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the intercession of St. Pio of Pietrelcina,
I confidently beseech You to grant me
the grace of (here state your petition).
(This novena prayer was recited every day by Padre Pio for all those who asked his prayers)
I. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, ask and it will
be given you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be
opened to you.’ Behold, I knock, I seek and ask for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
II. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, if you ask
anything of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.’
Behold, in Your name, I ask the Father for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
III. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, heaven and
earth will pass away but my words will not pass away.’
Encouraged by Your infallible words, I now ask for the grace of…
Our Father… Hail Mary… Glory be to the Father…
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, for whom it is impossible not to have
compassion on the afflicted, have pity on us poor sinners
and grant us the grace which we ask of You, through the Sorrowful and Immaculate heart of Mary, Your tender mother and ours.
Hail, Holy Queen… St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus, pray for us.
On a personal note. Wednesday was my best personal day in 3 years.:)
I got up got ready and went off to see my primary care DR. The drive was great it was so nice out. It was just me,myself and I in the car so I could just drive and think.
I went into the Doctors office and had a great visit and spoke to my Doctor . He is a very nice person as well. And off I went to have a minor repair done on my newly acquired used car. 🙂
My next stop landed me in my father’s home and my dad was vacuuming. He was thrilled to see me and surprised to see me so soon. I had just seen him 3 days ago 🙂  We had a cup of coffee and talked for a while. It was great to be with him as always.
I went home and decided to do some stuff around the kitchen and my phone went off !
I was needed immediately to pick up my daughter from work. I had my first job in nearly 3 years !
So, I flew out and picked her up and because I still felt great I took her to get a few things she wanted at the store. It was my 1st truely normal day.
There is only one reason for my having a day like this. God’s grace and blessing in my life.
Here comes Peter Cottontail. 🙂  for the kiddies
It’s getting warm out there 50 degrees today! 🙂  ENJOY IT !
I just got back from my primary care visit and all is well in Dannyville. Lol
As I have written on this blog  all 250 plus of them I have spoken about Miracles and how they come in many forms.
I am currently a living testimony to that fact due to my current circumstances. But do not think for a minute that you too aren’t a Miracle. Raise your hand in front of your face, take a deep breathe, look at your kids or think of someone you love and feel the emotion and see the limbs move. We did not just show up here spontaneously. God created us in the image of his son Jesus Christ. Â So life is pretty sweet. God wants the best for us too.
It is the time of Miracles and when you see the link below you will understand they are happening all the time. Some seen and some are unseen.
But first, this song is perfect. We need to accentuate the positive in our lives no matter what. Lead the way and put a positive foot forward in all of your life’s endeavors.
Accentuate the positive!
Turn up the volume  and jump into your day.
This was pointed out to me today by my daughter it was in the news. Just incredible.
Incredible but believable because God said that legions of angels are here to assist us on our journeys.
I woke up Monday morning a little later than I normally do. I am pushing myself daily because I desire myself to be the best than I can be. So, I am tired and sleep better. Everyone in my home was up and  gone and you could hear a pin drop. I looked at the beautiful day outside and got into the shower. My mind was very peaceful and I quietly prayed as I got ready.
I was all set to go and I grabbed my cane. I was so happy to be driving and be able to go where I want to, when I want to. I was not disappointed. It was a beautiful day outside as I rolled along the road to visit my dad. The sky was perfectly blue, the Windows were open and the air was crisp and fresh.
Driving makes a handicapped person feel normal like everyone else.
A song came on the radio from the 70’s I was on cloud nine as I listened and felt so grateful to be in that moment. I felt younger and had wonderful memories of simpler times.  I was going to spend my time with my dad and then along came the emotion. This emotional thought came to mind and a sadness filled my heart. I thought I wish I could have done this when my mom was sick and was failing 2 years ago. If you remember I could not go out a whole lot because of my medical condition I spoke to  my mom a couple of times a day by phone during that time and I did get over there physically to sit with her when I could. She never complained  and we all prayed together as a family when we were there at our family home.She was not afraid. She was too busy praying for me and emotionally supporting her whole family. She was showing us the way of the cross with such tender love.
THIS IS THE SONG THAT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALONG. IT WAS A GREAT MEMORY.
The big BUTT is that I wanted to be there physically with her, all the time.
The heart wants what the heart wants. No matter how much time I had with my mom it would never have been enough.
MY MOM WOULD SAY,
LOVE IS SELFISH, WE NEVER WANT TO LET OUR LOVED ONES GO.
AND
YOU LOVE BIG, Â YOU LOSE BIG!
SHE WAS RIGHT ON BOTH COUNTS.
She began to say this after the loss of her mom and dad.
I WILL SAY THIS HER PASSING IS SOMEHTING I ACCEPT BECAUSE JESUS PAID THE PRICE FOR HER TOO. SHE IS ENJOYING HER ETERNITY AWAITING AND WATCHING OVER HER FAMILY . AMEN
My mom a few years back attended one of her neighbors funerals and heard this song sung. She was so moved by it. I found it for her and she loved it. It is not sad it was a very moving and comforting gift to her. She believed the message of that song. My mom left to be with the Lord on a sunny afternoon. She was at peace and her faith in God allowed her that peace.
This is the beautiful song that I spoke of. For my mom.
Beautiful memories are always flooding back from my memory. Long forgotten about but they are being made new once again. I know that we all have them and they can be a real gift to us.
I thank God for my beautiful memories
For my nana F.
Swing on a star Bing Crosby
I think/know that we need to validate those that we love daily. My grandmother’s goodness was felt by my family when we were babies and throughout our lives. My grandmother was 100 percent Italian And was a wonderful cook. She used to make homemade tortellini amongst other things. What I wouldn’t give for a bowl of that again.
My grandmother use to watch us when we were out of school sick. With 5 kids my mom always had one of us home sick and would have to miss work so her mom would fill in.
The memories will forever be stuck in my mind of my grandmother. I would get dropped off at her and my papa’ s home and she got an assessment of my ailment always with a little twist of your not too sick are you. 🙂 LOL
I could have screamed ,she knew I was pretty okay. But, I professed illess so I was now her patient. She was a tough nurse too. LOL
She would march me into the living room and onto the couch I would lay down and that’s where I stayed no tv either. 😦  Anytime I thought about getting up, she arrived or I would hear my grandfather come in from his yard work and say how’s Danny? She would say good I think he just needed a day off.LOL My grandfather would come in and say hey Dan how are you feeling ? Your grandmother has our lunch ready c’mon let’s go eat.
My grandmother also had two beautiful candy dishes on top of her dining room buffet that called to me while I was horizontal on her sofa.
So, in the kitchen I would go and my grandfather was sitting there waiting for nana to sit down. We said Grace and thanked God for our food and we had a bowl of soup and a sandwich. I remember tomato soup. It was not my favorite but you ate what you were given. Her sandwiches were always good. She made awesome egg salad and Italian Tonno tuna packed in oil.
An interesting little note. I never really cared or craved tomato soup. When I was very sick about 3 years ago one food that I was craving was tomato soup and crackers. So, I often wonder why? Was it a comfort food because of my childhood memory? I don’t know but I am glad for the reminder of my grandparents. Their memory is healing to me too.
She had a pantry and after lunch she would say go in and you can get a cookie, pick out what you want 🙂 I did not grab 10 either !  A couple would do. Plus she was watching! 🙂
These are memories that never can be taken from me because they were good people who loved their family and their God they loved me. During my sickest days even with cancer I have not felt disappear. I felt them with me still, they are here with me in a very special way. If value is based on love alone then I am the richest guy in the world.
Like I say look at who is in your life now and say I love you in anyway that you can. Amen.
My grandparents loved music my grandfather loved Irish Music and sang it too. MY Grand parents were not old foggies. They were current and understood their times.They were current because they needed to understand what their grandchildren were facing in their culture. My Nana and Papa F were full of life and love. They new what they stood for and watched out for us all. God was the leader of their band. My grandfather lived what he preached and practiced it too. Nana had Powerful faith and was devoted to Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. She also loved the infant of Prague.
My grandmother’s birthday is St. Patrick’s Day.
My grandfather like I said was very Irish and married his Italian sweetheart who birthday was March 17th, so he called her Rosie when he would tease her. They both loved this song too:)
For Nana and Papa and all the grandparents everywhere !:)
My grandfather was very funny,he was a little fresh and my grandmother was very proper. It was funny to see him goat her and she reacted every time. She doth protest but really loved it and always laughed. That’s what you call the magic. They adored each other.
The funny thing is that I have seen my parents do the same thing and yes I too tease my beautiful wife. It’s usually just done with my family around.Everyone will roar with laughter including my wife. And if I feel very comfortable, I do it with friends around too. Back a few months ago my wife and I had company in and my wife whipped up dinner. It was so funny being the joker that I can be when my wife was in the kitchen I would snap my fingers and have her bringing me stuff. One of the girls thought it was terrible and asked if I treated her that way all the time .Lol. She went into the kitchen to talk to my wife and I heard my wife laugh out loud and tell her he’s just teasing me, he is a brat. We still laugh at that event to this day. My wife is my #1 most important friend on this Earth. She has been my personal everything for over 30 years. I drive her crazy and she loves it. That’s our magic.
God bless you all.
God bless all of my grandparents , my mom and my son Brad who are with the Lord watching over us. Amen.
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have
I. O my Jesus, You have said, ‘Truly I say to you, ask and it will
Just Danny Speaks 