Among other things, reading her autobiographical story taught me that I shouldn’t imagine that only strong Catholics believe in virginity before marriage.
When the family saw this look on a video prayer meeting they gasped. “You’ve got’tta get a plate, partial, something!.”
“That’s silly. I’m 81. Who cares if I look funny? I don’t have dental on my plan. It could cost $1,000 for such a partial when that money could otherwise feed the starving in Calcutta.”
My twin, who has always been more refined and conscious of looks than myself, called me up. “Now, Ronda, I am singing ‘all I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth,” and you have to accept it. My Christmas present to you is a partial.”
Now since this old dinosaur doesn’t know how to do “selfie” photos I can’t send Jim one to give you a chance to see if you would side with my twin or myself. In any case, I am off to get my partial next week.
Years ago, I heard about old Catholic families where they lived on farms celebrating Advent by having each child put in a manger like box a piece of straw for every good deed done each day. For 45 years I have been changing this to piece of yarn and then braiding the pieces of yarn into a “blanket” for baby Jesus. My daughter, Carla, added that the adults in the family should also count up good deeds, told to the assembled family just before lighting the Advent Candle. On Christmas day, during the present opening I sit and sew together the pieces of yarn to add to the huge blanket under the Nativity Scene.
So, this first year with Jenny and Sean and the little ones, Teresa (almost 4) and Julia (4 months old) we will be starting a new blanket.
Pray for me!