Celebrations of Life

So much has gone on since my last update.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, at work we participated in the point in time survey, where we along with many other agencies and volunteers attempted to count the number of homeless and "precariously housed" persons in the city of New Orleans and nearby Jefferson Parish. This was an interesting experience. I do not yet know the results of the survey and suspect that it is far from accurate, however from the people I interviewed it is clear that there are many unmet needs. People are lacking housing, health care, food and opportunities.

On Thursday of that week, my paternal grandfather passed away. For the past few years, I have been acutely aware at times of my unusual fortune of having all four of my grandparents at my age. So many people do not ever get the opportunities to meet grandparents; I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world for having them. Papa Sean and Nana Nealon moved into my parents home when I was ten years old and lived with them until October when due to illness and decline they needed increased care and moved into a nursing home. I have so many fond memories of them. I recall, when they first lived with us, how every night my two sisters and I, would knock on the door to their section of the house to say goodnight before we went to bed.

On Friday morning I flew to Rhode Island. The wake was that evening. How bittersweet, to see so many relatives and family friends I had not seen is so long while at the same time considering that I would never again see my grandfather alive.

On Saturday morning we had the funeral. The liturgy was well done. I think Papa Sean would have enjoyed it. After the cemetery, everyone was invited back to my parents home.

There was a bit of a lull after most people left Saturday afternoon, before other people (and some of the same people) began arriving that evening for the surprise 80th birthday party of my other grandfather. It was truly a day of celebrating life.

Sunday was spent at my parents' home with relatives. I enjoyed seeing my cousin's children.

On Monday, my mother's parents returned to Florida and Nana Nealon went back to the nursing home. Although it was hard to leave her there, it was helpful for me to see where she is now living. There are two recliners in the room that were facing each other, one now empty, was my grandfather's.

On Tuesday, I drove to Philadelphia, in a car my family is lending my community to save us the expense or renting one. I stopped by my community's provincilate for a brief visit. It was wonderful to see some members of my community. Mary, a lay associate, became my faithful travel companion for the rest of the journey. We made it as far as northern Virginia on Tuesday evening when falling snow encouraged an early stop over.

From quarter of seven Wednesday morning (eastern time) until nearly ten pm (central time) we traveled from winter, through spring, in between mountains and through valleys, arriving in flat New Orleans.

On Thursday afternoon, Anne Marie (our provincal) and Ellen (formation director), arrived at the New Orleans airport to visit. I toured them around showing them the some of the still devastated areas.

On Friday morning I dropped Mary off at the airport for her flight back to Philly. Ellen and Anne Marie came to see where I work at Unity and St. Jude Community Center. We had lunch in the French Quarter. Friday night we went with some of the Marianites, as well as a couple of sisters from other communities who are also in the area to volunteer, to a Mardi Gras parade. It was great fun. I imagined that parade goers would be fortunate to catch one or two items thrown from the floats; we caught hundreds of them! I took some pictures I had hoped to post here, but when we were leaving the parade I could not find my camera even after a thorough search of the neutral ground (grassy median where one stands for parades.) The parade is something pictures can not accurately capture anyway, it is an experience; in its unique way, it too is a celebration of life.

I am grateful to so many of you for your prayerful support at this time. The loss of my grandfather reminds me of the importance of relationship and increases my appreciation for all of the people I am fortunate to know.

Have a good week.