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