Remembering Vivian...

Collect (from Masses for the Dead):

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son, whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

~from Women for Faith and Family

It always was this time of year that made me wonder about her. This year, there is no wondering, just peace. Our journey began in earnest a year ago and from beginning to end, it has been a most precious experience. I had hoped to visit Vivian's grave today but with a tiny one who only tolerates the car for 3.5 minutes, I thought it better to spend those minutes getting us to her 2 month checkup today.

On this commemoration of all the faithful departed we pray eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord...
 

Unusual Request...

I don't want to appear insensitive to anyone who has ever had the difficult task of choosing a grave marker for a loved one or friend so forgive my tone if it sounds flippant, but I am trying to gather some information regarding online memorial/grave marker ordering. We are getting close to choosing a marker for Vivian. My dearest desire would be to have it in place by her birthday in March or the anniversary of her death in July. The cemetery association has agreed that we could set it ourselves, if we'd like, and they've even offered to help us since they are so glad to have this unmarked grave identified. They indicated there are local companies we could go with, but they haven't always had the best experience with them and they can't recommend them in good conscience.

Anyway, since it has to be a flat marker (cemetery preference) and they said we could set it ourselves, we thought we would look into ordering one online. The cost is significantly less which would allow for the possibility of purchasing one for the aunt (by marriage) who is buried next to Vivian. Many of them have excellent preview websites where you can see what each change will look like as you make it.

I realize I am in a unique situation here... for most people, choosing a grave marker is a heart breaking chore. In my unusual circumstance, it could almost be considered a joy since I know it is fulfilling the life long desire of my Pawpaw and my great-grandparents, Vivian's parents.

Would anyone who has had any experience with this or anyone who has ever used an online headstone service, please send me an email if you want to share your experience privately or leave your thoughts in the combox if you so choose? Thank you!

Commemoration of the Holy Souls

Collect (from Masses for the Dead):

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters

will share in His resurrection,

who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

~from Women for Faith and Family

I am begging for your help. Anyone who knows how to really get results from St. Anthony, please bug him for me. Today, we are going to try to visit the grave of a great-aunt of mine. Try.

Before my Pawpaw passed, he told me that his baby sister was buried in our area back in the late 1920's. His family was only living here while his father as attending the Baptist Theological Seminary. They moved away after he graduated and never returned to this part of Texas.

I have spent a few years gathering information and today, we are going to try to physically locate her grave. However, there might be a problem. Even though all of my evidence points to a particular cemetery and a great-aunt confirms that there was indeed a grave marker, the cemetery association has no record of her name on any grave marker right now. This small cemetery has not escaped the ravages of time or vandalism. There are a few stones classified as "unreadable" and I'm hoping that with your prayers, St. Anthony's help and the name that I am looking for in hand, I might be able to recognize one of the "unreadable" markers as hers.

Please pull any heavenly strings you can! I would certainly appreciate it!

Patriot Day

Embracing my precious ones and reading this today.

We remember...

May Our Heavenly Father bless all those who had a loved one taken from them, those who laid down their lives for the sake of another and those who continue to sacrifice to secure our safety and liberty. 

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

HT: Life in a Small Town via Patty