This afternoon, I walked over to the convent after a very full afternoon of helping with a big cleaning project.  I wanted to change clothes, and maybe do some laundry while I was at it.
 
I had left my winter coat hanging up in the normal spot, deciding to brave the elements and go out in “just my shirt-sleeves.”  I was happy I did; it was certainly pleasant enough out. 
 
As I neared the convent, I heard the sound of water runner; snow had melted and the resulting water was running down toward the drainage system.  This beautiful sound did my ears good, a welcome sign of hope after a less than uplifting afternoon (or week, for that matter)!
 
I got inside, and while I was accomplishing the mission for which I had come, I heard the sound of a bird singing outside: another beautiful sign of hope. 
 
Amidst so much stress and discouragement in our world at this time, I am thankful for the many beautiful sounds and sights, gifts from heaven.  

If only we could all be more alert to them!

Whew - I'm tired after another full day!

Working in long-term care certainly has gotten more complicated lately.  Serving a very vulnerable population in the midst of a pandemic involves a lot of precautions unheard of before now. 

I just took over at the front desk for the evening shift, and had the honor of checking my first temperature and asking my first passerby to use hand-sanitizer.   We are being quite strict about monitoring people for possible symptoms of COVID-19, even though there haven't been any documented cases yet in our locale. 

Life certainly has changed in the past week!  Things are quite stressful. 

We are certainly living in a time which requires a lot of prayer.  Thankfully, I was reminded of a handy little opportunity to incorporate praying for this drastic situation into my daily life. 

We are so often reminded to wash our hands (or use alcohol based hand sanitizer).  The CDC recommends doing this for at least twenty seconds.  Some recommend singing 'Happy Birthday" to yourself twice.  A better option, it seems to me, is to say a couple of prayers while thoroughly washing the various nooks and crannies of the hands with warm soap water. 

I timed it once, and it takes about 20 seconds to pray a 'Hail Mary' and 'Glory Be.'  Consequently, I've taken to doing this as my hand-washing timing system. 

Throughout the day, especially during these times, I certainly have plentiful opportunities for prayer, and plenty need of it. 

Please join me; it's much more effective than singing 'Happy Birthday."

I just finally got my strength and energy back after having been sick with an ugly bug.  I'd guess that you might say it was just in time! 

Last night, a staff member from the night shift was not able to make it into work, and none of the others from that department were available to fill in for her.  (There are always two staff members scheduled at night.)  Thus it was that I worked here until 5 a.m., rather than getting off duty at 10 last night.

The night really went very well; I have no complaints.  I got the cleaning duties done, did rounds to check on residents, and still had plenty of time to work on a big project in the office. 

One nice thing about the night shift is that most of it is after midnight...
Whenever I've worked the shift, I've found time to slip into chapel and get my private prayer time in 'for the day.'  That way, I don't have to try to fit it into my post-dawn schedule (which normally includes a long nap)!

Along with making alterations to my prayer schedule, working nights also impacts my eating habits.  I usually grab a snack or two during the night and then cut back the following day (part of which is spent in bed).

Today, I went back to bed after Mass, having told the cook that I would not be in for any hot cereal.  After enjoying close to four hours' rest, I came back on time to get a bowl of chili (one of my favorite meals) before going to work at the front desk. 

It must have been breakfast time, since I kept wanting to say 'good morning' to people I saw!
I've never had chili for breakfast before, but it was pretty good today.

I know that, as faithful Catholics, we're urged to undertake some form of voluntary penance during the days of Lent (Sundays and probably solemnities not included).  As kids, we were introduced to the practice of "giving up something" for Lent.  I can remember saving up the restricted item to relish on Sunday, though.  

Although appropriate Lenten penance has changed for me over the years (I no longer feel impelled to give up "after-school snacks"), I'm still called to give up my own will as I go through this season of conversion and renewal.  

The past few days, however, I found it challenging to do any special penance of my own choosing.  I've been sick in bed.  Between chills, terrible headaches, and all the rest, I felt awful, not to mention, terribly week.  To even walk down the hall or get up to use the bathroom took a lot out of effort.  

These past days, my Lenten penance (much more substantial than anything I would have chosen) has included forcing myself to drink more water (even though this meant more trips to the sink to re-fill my bottle)...It has included offering all of this all up - I really made use of my morning offerings!

Thankfully, my fever broke this morning, and I no longer feel like I'm being dragged behind a train (or run over by one).  I'm still weak, though, and I think I should be making my way back to bed soon for some more rest.

(PS: The loving care of others, chicken soup and Jell-O go a long way in helping with this kind of penance.)