Heart of Whimsy !

What dark portense of winter's sky bids morbid dread to souls' content? Is it the frigid gale of night that serenades with dark lament? Angelic psalms through windswept sky warn of darkness' frigid bite. Guard heart's repose 'neath blanket's shield. Pray God to bless your peace this night. Oh Lord we welcome Heaven's cloak. So pure that wondrous dress. A sheen of glory, white and bare, Your soothing, tranquil, holy crest. Hark! The joy of children's glee. A choir of cherubic mirth. Out of frigid season's clay, A winter tribe is given birth. There is life within the tomb that issues forth from Jack Frost's breath Faith's confidence repeals the fear. Love's strengh transcends deceitful death. God tempers life in rhythmic season Spring yields Summer, then Fall's delight. We must allow that Wisdom reigns in blessed Winter's holy rite. Copyright © 2011 by Marc Ernest Brodeur

This Swedish version of the Lord's Prayer was retrieved from a church in Sweden during a family visit. Fader vår, som är i himmelen! Helgat varde ditt namn; tillkomme ditt rike; ske din vilja såsom i himmelen så ock på jorden; vårt dagliga bröd giv oss i dag; och förlåt oss våra skulder, såsom ock vi förlåta dem oss skyldiga äro; och inled oss inte i frestelse, utan fräls oss ifrån ondo ty riket är ditt och makten och härligheten i evighet. Amen.

( With thanks to my friend and schoolmate, Madeleine Lavoie Vrona for recovering these French versions of the Rosary prayers. We certainly recited these more times than we can remember throughout our years at St. Anne School. ) Notre Père, qui êtes aux cieux; Que votre nom soit sanctifié; Qui votre règne arrive; Que votre volonté soit faite sur la terre comme au ciel; Donnez-nous aujourd'hui notre pain de chaque jour; Pardonnez-nous nos offenses comme nous pardonnons à ceux qui nous ont offensés; Et ne nous laissez pas succomber à la tentation. Mais délivrez-nous du mal. Ainsi soit-il. Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâce, Le Seigneur est avec vous. Vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes, et Jésus, le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni. Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous pécheurs, maintenant et à l'heure de notre mort. Ainsi soit-il Gloire au Père, et au Fils et au Saint-Esprit. Comme il était au commencement, et maintenant et toujour...

Feeling like a silver ball Rail to Rail and off the wall Life is random, don't you think? What's that growling in the SQUIRREL!!!!! (Okay! I'm feeling MUCH BETTER NOW! 8-D )

How was your living today? How  was your first breath spent? Was it to pray? As your eyes strained to open, did you feel a great dare? How was your living today? How was your loving today? Did you offer a smile? Did you listen a while? Was forgiveness your gift? Did you ease a friend’s trouble? How was your loving today? Did you feel every beat of your heart? Are you certain that you will remember The roads you have travelled, the souls you have touched? Did you feel every beat of your heart? How will you rest this night? Will the history you’ve made be right? Is all that you’ve done true to the Son? How will you rest this night? How was your living today?

Light, warmth, sweet breezes, He whispers. Dawn’s favor majestically waits . A fine summer day has presented its promise I’m alive and His gift I’ll not waste. What plan do you sing my beneficent angel? How shall we avail this fine turn? Shall we laugh? Shall we dance? Shall we sing? Shall we pray? Does your mission beg urgent concern? Lead me through sunshine aloft on your wings. Embolden my spirit to soar. I must marshal my talents as He has demanded. I must live to the fullest, should there not be one more. Summer, oh summer! Your days are for living. I slept a long winter, then spring lead me to you. I’m ready to honor your plan. Imbue every breath and waste not one heartbeat. Summer! Oh Summer! How Grand!