Kat''s Nature

Kat's Nature Is To Be Creative - I Love Paint and Stuff

Saturday, November 26, 2011

A bit of a scary Thanksgiving

My dad, Brother Anthony, is a Benedictine Monk , 
and has been for the past 12 years or so. 
 He made this decision 





after my mom passed away very unexpectedly
 and un-fore-warned. 
 We all (I have six sisters and three brothers)
 were so in shock to have our mom taken away
..Yet I'm sure I grieved and cried more
 for my dad. 
 My parents were high school sweethearts 
and shared everything they had with who ever needed.




Peaceful , Prayerful Hands 




Comfort me Oh Lord 

God's Loving Arms
I went to the Abby at St Bede's  Abbey
in Peru, Illinois to spend
 Thanksgiving with Dad  along with my family
and one of my brothers and his wife and son.

  Dad was not feeling well and as he came into the dining room
 to join all the monks and all the visitors for the Thanksgiving meal
 I saw his face . 
and I knew he was very ill.

He tried to sit with us and carry on a conversation. 
 He could not

He left, after apologizing and walked out of the room very slowly. 
 I thought to go lay down again. 

I got up and decided to look around the hallways a little . 

I couldn't get his pained face out of my mind

I spotted him far off sitting  out in the long breezeway area. 
 I went back into the dining hall and asked my brother to go to him
 and check on him and tell him to please go lay down
... that we are fine and will see him later in the day.  
Danny agreed and went out and sat with dad. 
 then they both returned to the dining hall and
 Danny whispered to me
 as my dad was whispering to his Abbott
 the plan was to go to the E R at St Margaret's Hospital. 
 He was also in great pain.  He came over to me 
and tried to apologize and his voice cracked
 .. I knew tears where starting in his eyes so I told him
 I loved him and do not worry..we will come over and check on him. 
 He had to go with Dan to the hospital right away 
and not worry about us all.

I am happy to say he was given a medication
 that relieved his pain almost entirely right away in the hospital. 
They are doing " tests"  and he is feeling very much better today. 
 Another two of my sisters who live closer to the Abbey
 came to stay with him today and I returned home with my family. 

Please keep my dad,
 Brother Anthony,
 in your special thoughts and prayers if you can.

I believe in the power of love and conversation with the lord!

Photos from Thanksgiving at the Abbey



Thiis on one of a dozen or so simple little
watercolor paintings given to my dad for his book

His big project
thoughts and Lectio Divina on the scriptures 


More of the little illustrations for my dads book 



a cardinal for my dad
 hopefully to keep in his room at the monastery
although he is not supposed to have any possessions.
I think he will make an exception for this gift
My mom loved Cardinals
he mentioned that to me yesterday as he looked at this bird .
It broke my heart a little
He misses her (his sweet Margaret) so much


The Abbey doors
Dad was not there...

My Pie
I'm wearing my red rose apron
at the Abbey Kitchen

Thanksgiving Pie
saving a big piece for my dad

The abbey kitchen

My brother, Danny carrying the gifts we brought for our dad.

Trees at the Abbey

A wonderful Jesus
greeted us at the
St Margaret's Hospital
to go visit with our Dad there.

God please comfort him
hold him in Your loving arms




sharing this to
inspire 
and ask for your prayer
- KAT - @ Kat's Nature
you are talking too much 

16 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i am glad you and your brother were there to tend to your father! he may not have gone to the ER otherwise! yikes! glad they were able to help him immediately! i hope the tests will come back with clear answers so he can return to the abbey soon!

(and gosh, your pie looks GREAT!)

carol l mckenna said...

My prayers are with you and your family ~ especially your Dad ~ your illustrations are wonderful and magical and will help you deal with all you are coping with right now ~ Hugs to you ~thanks, namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ^_^

Anonymous said...

oh my gosh my eyes are filled with tears, such a beautiful post, I'll keep your family in our prayers,

Unknown said...

I'm glad your dad is feeling well. Even though I'm not religious, I'll send him positive energy. He must be a very amazing man.

Samantha said...

Oh my goodness, Kat..
We'll be thinking of your family and praying.
I'm SO glad you were able to get him to the ER right away.

EVA said...

I hope your Dad is okay! Lovely pages you made for him.

NanaDiana said...

Saying a prayer for your Dad and asking God to heal him completely.
Life sure throws us some curves, doesn't it? I'm sure you miss your Dad with his chosen profession. It is like he, too, in some way has been removed from your life. God bless you- xo Diana

Jen said...

Oh Kat, that is so sad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, especially your father. I love the photos and those watercolors are lovely.

Deb said...

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers Kat.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I will keep your father in my prayers, Kat! I know this is a hard time for you and I'll pray for you, too! Hugs, your friend, Diane ♥

carlarey said...

Here's hoping your Dad makes a very quick recovery. He is lucky to have such a loving family, both his natural, and his spiritual family.

It must be wonderful to have this illustration project to work on with him, and I am sure your watercolors are giving him lots of comfort.

JKW said...

Your illustrations tell a story. I can see the abby without the pics. Blessings and prayers for your dad, you and your family. Janet PPF

Denise Mulligan said...

Just wondering how your dad is doing? Keep strong!

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

Kat,
I'm so sorry to hear about your father. Hopefully, he is doing better. It was a good thing that you and your brother were there to encourage him to go to the hospital. I will keep him and you in my prayers.

Geckostone said...

Oh Kat, what a beautiful post. Your paintings for your dad's book are gorgeous! I bet they will bring tears of joy to him as they did to me seeing them and reading your Thanksgiving story of Love! Of course I will keep your dad in my prayers! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful pictures! Deb

Mandy said...

i was on the edge of my seat reading your story glad your dad was better so quickly and i hope the tests go well...my mum is getting some results tomorrow..2 of my sisters and i are going...i am nervous...i now have to say that i LOVE your art...i did something similar...tho not as good...a few years back and you make me want to do it again...thankyou...xxx