Above: the “Before” Ash Wednesday picture next door to the rectory.
Below: the “After” Ash Wednesday picture next door to the rectory. Same tree.
However, the Lord’s admonition is that we are to be of bright and cheerful face! ;-)
But what if I feel like the tree in the “After” picture? … … …
Hah! Even then I know the Immaculate Conception has all the while and continues to intercede also for me perfectly. So, flowers for her! (Um… like the ones “Before” even if we feel like the flowers “After”.)
Perhaps you thought I might not make this a verbatim post though with a different tree from “Part 1”. No. The reason is that people can continue to feel like the “After” picture and need an extra bit of encouragement. We’re in this together, for Jesus and Mary: Hail Mary…
Yep, I felt that way a few times. Amen. A few lyrics by Stephen Sondheim:
“Love, I hear, makes you smile a lot
Also love, I hear, leaves you weak
Love, I hear, makes you blush and turns you ashen
You try to speak with passion, and squeak… I hear”