A Connection to the Spiritual Side

 

 

                         

 

 

When I was a child saying the rosary and having the name of Jesus on my lips, was as natural as eating a peanut butter and jelly. My family didn't know how not to have faith. It was evident in every word and gesture they made. They believed and that was that! Miracles weren't miracles they were a daily occurrence, and God was someone you could talk to wherever you were, no matter how you felt. Growing up I saw faith as a natural part of living. I never thought to doubt it.

My Grandparents said the rosary everyday, maybe even three times a day, maybe more…actually come to think of it I do not know if they ever stopped saying the rosary? Well maybe when they were playing cards they didn't say it. But than again they often won so maybe they were praying then too?

In the photo a deck of cards with the doll rosary my Grandmother gave me when I was a child. I have thought a great deal about my grandparents these last few days as we are in Lisbon. Hearing their mother tongue has flooded me with memories. While visiting Saint Anthony's crypt a mass was going on, the sound of it echoed their faith, as we had to pass through the sacristy to enter the crypt I opened the door to the altar just enough to see the priest raising the chalice. In that moment I felt their presense as if they were standing next to me.

Have you ever felt a connection to the other side?



Comments

21 responses to “A Connection to the Spiritual Side”

  1. Thank you for this beautiful posting. Yes I feel the love and guidance from my loved ones in Heaven often.
    It’s a divine blessing. The other day as you know are January days are for the most party gloomy and grey and cold. My beloved Late Grandmother her birthday was January 9th. She told me she would send me spring often from Heaven. That day the sun shone brightly and today it is 50 F. The year she died the entire month of January was like spring. Yes I feel them in many ways as you do.
    God bless you my lovely friend.
    Our loved ones are always with us.
    You are always in my heart, and my thoughts and prayers.
    Love Jeanne

  2. I agree with Jeanne, such a beautiful posting and I too have felt the love from my mother who passed 12/25/15. About two weeks prior to her passing, I received a “knowing” that it would happen at “Christmas time” and so it did. She loved cardinals and when she passed was wearing a t-shirt with a very pretty cardinal on the front. This year I brought a red cardinal clip ornament for our Christmas tree to remember her by and I have seen real cardinals outside which make me think of her. I really like that you are always open and aware to things of spiritual nature.

  3. Lucky you! Lisbon…tomorrow, January 12th would have been my parents 68th anniversary…they were married in Lisbon, Igreja de Santo Estevao. Your article gave me a little goose bump….Enjoy the mother land!

  4. You guys are awesome. Thank you for posting. I learned a lot.

  5. How special to feel their presence.

  6. Ann of Avondale

    Oh Corey, how lovely to remember your grandparents in such a beautiful setting. I often have dreams of my mother, father and my favorite uncle. When I wake up I feel as if I was really with them.

  7. Wait, you’re in LISBON? FYI, we enjoyed dinner at O Polícia restaurant, just across the street from the back of the Gulbenkian Museum, in case you’re interested. Farmboy Husband had their special fish/rice entrée, and the Sericaia for dessert (see display case in lobby; their crème brûlée was also perfection):
    https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g189158-d2044245-Reviews-O_Policia-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html

  8. Leonie Buchanan

    Like you Corey I grew up with faith all around me. When someone asked me at a church seminar once when did I find God I replied that I never knew a time in my life when I didn’t think of God or Jesus as my friend.
    We lived opposite our church so it was also our playground.
    Mum was very involved in our church, when I sit in church I often twist her engagement ring on my finger & feel her presence.
    The last service she atended was Maundy Thursday, this is a very poignant service for me.
    Beautiful memories.

  9. I understand some Spanish, at least the sound of it, but I couldn’t understand one word of Portuguese unless they used a Spanish word. It almost sounded like Russian to me. I read about it and Spanish and Portuguese both were the same at the beginning. I wonder what happened?
    I didn’t read about your chin. Where did you write about it?

  10. The reverse of your observation is that Spanish sounds to me like simplified Portuguese. Portuguese evolved from the Old Provençal language.
    Old joke: Portuguese sounds like Spanish spoken with a French accent 🙂

  11. From the years I have known you Jeanne I do believe you have a connection to all things good and loving. Your kindness is evident in every way. You are so affirming and giving, I admire that about you xx

  12. A knowing. That feeling that is more than a feeling that tells us without words or definition. How fortunate you are to have something tangible to remind you of your mother xx

  13. Happy 68th Love Feast, that was the beginning of all who you are xxx

  14. Dreams are like hugs from the other side, when they are about those we love and miss xx

  15. Ah thanks for letting me know. Hopefully we will go back, I enjoyed every moment there. x

  16. Thank you for sharing the story of your mother’s ring. I understand what you mean when you describe growing up with the church in your backyard. xxx

  17. While in Portugal I would hear words I knew, but they were so random that the context was missed on me. Yes, it does sound eastern at times.
    A week or so ago I tripped on the sidewalk and face planted. Split my chin amongst a few bruises and scratches, I am okay, nothing serious thank god!

  18. Was this your first time in Lisbon? We’ve been twice, and would love to return again, and again…

  19. I’ve only had very spiritual dreams of those who had passed. I love this post and that you felt their presence. What a beautiful moment.

  20. Liana Munden

    So beautiful! Yes I can relate so much though my grandparents were from Norway. They lived their faith, such sweet and gentle grandparent. Now that I have many grandchildren myself i try to hold them up as my role models and feel their close to me always.

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