“What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time: you by my faith and I by your faith.”

**Romans 1:12**

Today was a great day--or as Diana and I called it "It is a nice man day." Today, my faith in priests (and great men in general) was restored. I went with some of the Sisters to the funeral of Mary Sutera, mother of S. Judy Sutera. The priest at her funeral was instantly a man you knew you could trust, he was a gentle soul with kind eyes and strong but gracious hands (i'm a hand person). You could tell that what he had to say about the life and his experience of Mary Sutera, was honest and came from the heart--he was a wonderful man who made me want to join his parish. Then Susan and Diana and I went and did a few errands, one of those errands was shoe shopping for Susan (and of course I had to join in on buying a pair too) :) I had never seen a real shoe salesman before--one that understood the structure of the foot and how to best support each structure--he took his time with us and did what he could to make Susan's shoes the most comfortable they could be. He was also a gentle man, he looked like the grandfather type who would play ball with his grandkids and mend their wounds when there were hurt--a good solid gentle man.

Going to funerals always makes one think about those who have gone before. Until today, I saw the closing of the casket, the putting in the ground as something so final, so harsh and unbearable. While I still "suck at death" as I told Diana today, I realize as I get older it'll get better. Yes, death of loved ones will still be hard even though I've lost so many already, but as I was reminded today, the only thing in the casket is the body, not the person, the person isn't closed in anything--they are "dancing" in Heaven. It'll take some work, it'll take some time to absorb, but that is something I need to remember. Death is very final, but only physically final--the person is still alive and kicking, just from within the clouds. Death is sad, but there is such a beauty in it as well. As we drove through the cemetery today--the trees were breathtaking and the sun was shining--it was a perfect day to remember the life and spirit of those who have gone before us. It was a heartfelt day--good company--good laughs---good thoughts to keep me thinking and growing--good memories and beautiful weather.

I came home and started a blanket and now I'm off to supper with a friend.

**The picture above is of my great-grandma Rose's (RoRo) grave with a dried rose on her stone---she was a wonderful italian woman, who loved her family whole heartedly, with a big dash of spunk!