Tag: Down Syndrome

Reflections

An Opus For God – reprised

Tommy (middle) with friends at a Young Life activity
An Opus For God – reprised

Today is my son’s 25th birthday and the feast day in the Catholic Church calendar of St. Thomas Aquinas for whom he was named. I have posted this story before, but I do so again today as a prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of his life for these twenty-five years and the inestimable blessing he has been to us and so many others.

* * * * *

Although it was her 44th birthday, my wife is the one who came home from her doctor visit with a surprise for me.  Madeline was pregnant.  I stifled the question “How is that possible?” as it tried to force itself past my lips.  After six children, I guess I knew pretty well. 

Read More “An Opus For God – reprised”

Catholic

Hidden Treasure

“If you cry out for wisdom and raise your voice for understanding; if you look for it as for silver, and search for it as for treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2: 3-5

Hidden Treasure AUDIO

An island search for a pirate’s treasure map.  An archaeological dig for an ancient artifact.  The discovery of a rare item with unimagined value in a grandparent’s attic.  Even the popularity of the current television program, Storage Wars, where bidders compete to purchase the contents of unseen storage facilities in the hopes of acquiring something of untold worth.

There’s something about the intrigue surrounding hidden treasure.  Jesus even used it when instructing his disciples.   “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” Mt. 13 44 (RSV).  So let’s go treasure hunting.

Read More “Hidden Treasure”

Catholic

An Opus For God

An Opus For God audio
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

In recognition of Down Syndrome Awareness month in October, I’m reprinting a modified version of an article I wrote some 18 years ago that appeared in a couple of websites. Maybe it will be the catalyst to penning a follow up story in the remaining months of 2020.

Although it was her 44th birthday, my wife is the one who came home from her doctor visit with a surprise for me.  Madeline was pregnant.  I stifled the question “How is that possible?” as it tried to force itself past my lips.  After six children, I guess I knew pretty well. 

Our youngest was then nine years old.  Each milestone he passed had given us a growing sense of freedom: last one out of diapers, last to tie his shoes, ride a bike, learn to swim, go to school.  We had already negotiated our mid-life passage without the proverbial crises.  Madeline pierced another hole in her ears for a second set of earrings.  I started wearing contact lenses because she told me it made me look younger.  We were more than ready for a new and exciting chapter in our life.  But we weren’t ready for this.

Read More “An Opus For God”

Verified by MonsterInsights