Thank You and You're Welcome

Last Monday I returned home for lunch to find two thank you notes. A friend returned a hat that I had loaned her with a note on a paper towel thanking me for saving her from a bad hair night. The second was in the mail, from Adam Sullivan, who followed me around at work for a couple of days for a senior project, and it included an invitation to a reception later in the week. It reminded me that I need to send more thank you notes, because I have a lot to be grateful for.

On Tuesday night I went to our parish's Confirmation Mass. Bishop Michael Duca presided, and he gave a great homily about living your faith. He seems much more at ease about the formalities of being a bishop than he did in the fall when he first visited our parish. It was also very special to see kids I taught in CCD four years ago confirming their Catholic faith.

On Wednesday, I went to adoration, bought some life insurance, and then went to the reception at St. Mary's High School in Natchitoches. They gave the mentors a nice pen with the school's mascot on it. Then I hurried back to Many to play cards with some friends.

Thursday and Friday were quieter, which was nice after a long weekend with the family and a few pretty hectic evenings. Saturday morning followed the same pattern, as I rested up for another busy Saturday night.

After Mass Saturday, I headed out to the lake for Tammy's thirtieth birthday party. We danced and laughed and visited and ate some great food. I got home late, which made the 6 a.m. wake up pretty rough. But I had agreed to help the kids with the camp fundraiser at church on Sunday morning at 7 a.m. We had a good time, even though it was hard work. The kids pitched in and helped, and were pretty happy to do it, so it was a rewarding experience.

After a nap during the NASCAR race, I went for a walk with Linda and Kayla and Tippe and Rouxby. Chuck and Alicia returned from their fishing expedition with a nice mess of brim, so we arranged an impromptu fish fry. We had a blast visiting and hearing about Larry and Kayla's vacation to Tennessee last week. The guys and I stayed up for a while solving the world's problems. It was great to feel at home with my friends and neighbors. To feel welcome.