Hello, hope all is well.
I remember when my brother’s kids were young, and now that they have children of their own, I love to see what “hero” they wish to be. One of my great nephews said he wanted to be a garbage man so he could drive the truck, Another wanted to work on an ambulance and become a “hop-e-tal” man. (The is the way he said hospital.)
Remember when we were young, we all had a particular hero, we wanted to ware the white cowboy hat, not the black one. We wanted to ware the red cape with the beg S on it. We all had our favorite persons who saw on TV or read in our books, or heard in stories.
Then one day, we all had to grow up. The white hat was hanging in the hall closet, the red cape, if there ever was one, waa no more. And the ones we most wanted to be, well, the actors died, or we red something that put a chink in their armor. So that was the time we had to become our own person. We went to school, we studied this and that, we decided that it was time we planned to be, doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief. It was time to become our own person.
The author Oscar Wild wrote, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.” And then there is the plan that God the Father has for each of us.
At 18 I entered a community of Brothers who were in healthcare. I studied at one of the local hospitals and community college and got my degree in Respiratory Therapy. I wanted to go the our new hospital in San Jose, CA. BUT, God had another idea, that I was to be a priest. I was very happy in the Brothers, but God said, no California for you, it is to the seminary with you. I had my “Growing Up” moment.
God’s road is never, NEVER straight. There are more twists and turns, ups and downs that I care to count. But when the Father get a hold of you and gives you a little shake, or in my cast a good shaking, one usually come around to His way of thinkings.
Are we ever really all grown up? No, I don’t think so. I never thought I would be living in Florida, yet 29 years later, I’m still here. Go figure.
Peace and All Good,
Fr. Vinnie, osf and the
Bros and Srs of the
Fracnscan House of Prayer.