I Take Off the Mask

Photo by M&W Studios from Pexels There’s a song I don’t much like. It’s a very popular song, but I think it’s too often represented as a hopeful song. There’s actually a lot of despair within the lyrics. I used to change the radio station when I was driving and this song was played. I still do, but I take a moment to pray first. What changed? We went to a funeral, a couple of years ago, for a young man who had taken his own life. Because he was a music fan, family and friends were encouraged to wear concert t-shirts to the prayer service. And on the back of the prayer card, where there’s usually a prayer or a Scripture verse, was the first verse of this famous song, which begins, “Imagine there’s no heaven.” Imagine the despair behind that line. Imagine the utter lack of hope that it takes to hold the view that heaven does not exist. It’s easy, the songwriter maintains—but it’s not easy at all. It’s heartbreaking. In my book The Handy Little Guide to Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor) I ...

“ Snuggles, Kisses & Hugs: Have A Party” is truly an amazing book with a lot of heart! Featuring three wonderful characters who can’t be more different from each other, it’s a story that’s bound to prove how our differences need not keep us from forming a solid and lasting friendship that could overcome countless challenges in life. From the very beginning of the book, it has been dedicated to parents who wanted to raise their children to be good people when they grow up. It’s something that has quickly etched a mark of sincerity to a reader like me even before I read the rest of the story. Isn’t it what all parents desire to do? And what better way than through a fun-filled and engaging book that would dig deep into the heart and imagination of young ones? In this story, Snuggles The Bouncing Bunny, Kisses The Fashion Fox, and Hugs The Ballerina Bear will be faced with a seemingly simple yet difficult task of preparing a party for their common friend Tickles The Turtle . How w...

Life’s greatest happiness is to know that you have loved. Happy Valentines Day! You may use the above image in your personal or social posts.  I only hope that you add a link back to this blog. Quotes on the Love of God Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.- Saint Clare of Assisi “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” – Mother Teresa There is no need to be dismayed if love sometimes follows torturous ways. Grace has the power to make straight the paths of human love. – Pope John Paul II God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. – Augustine “Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for y...

I never thought I’d start the day without you by my side, smiling at me with those eyes as though we’ve only met. I never thought I’d start the day without you holding me, reaching for my hands as though you’d never let them go. But I start the days now with this ache in my heart, not seeing you next to me as I awake, not being able to reach your hands. Yes, I start the day now not knowing where my feet would take me, and so I feel I’d rather sleep again, just so I could dream of you. I don’t know until when I could wake up each morning not seeing you, not feeling you, not finding you where you’re supposed to be. You were supposed to be right next to me, And my days should not be this empty now that you’re truly gone. The above poem is included in Jocelyn Soriano’s book for those who grieve the loss of a loved one “Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief”. Get it from Amazon today— click here.

I used to love the silence, those quiet days when we’d just walk around the park holding each other’s hand and simply breathing, taking in all the beauty we could find. I used to love the silence, those quiet nights when we’d just lie down staring at the moon and the stars, listening to crickets as fireflies danced about. But now I hate the silence, those silent days when I forget to turn the radio on. Yes, I hate the silence, those silent nights when I am forced to think about all those moments that are gone. I used to love the silence, when silence meant I’d find you by my side. When even though no words were spoken, I know I’ve got a place to hide. Could I ever love the silence again? Sometimes I try to face my fears. Maybe if I could still feel you’re there, I may just love those silent tears. The above poem is included in Jocelyn Soriano’s book for those who grieve the loss of a loved one “Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief”. Get it from Amazon today— click here.

It came over me again, this sudden sadness, sweeping like a wave, covering me, drowning me, throwing me again into a grief I couldn’t fight nor overcome. It came over me again, just when I thought I was already moving on, carrying on, healing, rising from the depths that have swallowed me whole. What do I do when they come? Should I run or should I hide? Should I lock my tears inside where they could never fall? Ah, but I have learned there’s nothing I could do, but surrender to the tides that take me back to you. And when the waves have come and gone they let me go when they are done, Washed ashore, I carry on To bask again under the sun. The above poem is included in Jocelyn Soriano’s book for those who grieve the loss of a loved one “Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief”. Get it from Amazon today— click here.

I saw a yellow butterfly resting on a rose Day by day I saw it As it came for that single flower. It was quite peculiar, I thought for a butterfly to be attached to just one flower. Why must it fly again and again Why must it return for a rose that’s just like any other? Even when the rose has died the yellow butterfly stayed by its side. Was it weeping for sweet nectars it could no longer find? Go away, dear butterfly! Go and taste other roses for how could you live near a wilted flower? But the butterfly stayed as though saying, “I have only lived because I came upon this flower. I’d fly away, but not too soon, not before I kiss with one final bliss, not without remembering the rare sweetness of this rose.” The above poem is included in Jocelyn Soriano’s book for those who grieve the loss of a loved one “Of Waves and Butterflies: Poems on Grief”. Get it from Amazon today— click here.