Lenten Goals

There are three things I want to do for Lent. I know it doesn't start until Wednesday, but I just wanted to throw out my goals.
1. I'm giving up Diet Coke. And all pop for that matter, but I only drink Diet Coke anyway.
2. I am going to either run or bike at least two miles three times a week.
3. I am going to be more aware. Aware of what is going on in my life, in the lives of others, in the world. And I am going to go out of my way at least once each day to do something nice for someone else.

Love,
Grace

Forgiveness is beautiful

“When you hold resentment toward another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel. Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free.”
-Catherine Ponder

“To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
-Robert Muller

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

“Sincere forgiveness isn't colored with expectations that the other person apologize or change. Don't worry whether or not they finally understand you. Love them and release them. Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time.”
-Sara Paddison

"I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one.”
-Henry Ward Beecher

I am a writer. And I'm back from Kairos. So what am I going to do now? I'm going to do some editing. I need to edit my life.

Kairos

So, tomorrow after school I will be leaving on Kairos, which is a Christian student-lead retreat. There is a lot of mystery behind this retreat... I don't know. My expectations aren't very high, I don't think this retreat will be as "life changing" as it is said to be, but I hope I am wrong. I'm extremely skeptical right now. The only reason I am remotely excited about this retreat is because I get to miss school on Friday. I'm really not in the mood for people to pretend that they're deep, say one thing on retreat, and then act another way once we get back to school. Oh well, we'll see. I have been wanting to go on this retreat since 7th grade when my cousin Kate went on and led Kairos. When I was looking for a high school, I made sure they had this retreat... So I know when I get back I won't be able to share any details-- you know, the naked midnight runs, the no showering for four days, the starvation, all the Kairos cult details-- but hopefully I will have something insightful to say. Pray for me.
Love,
Grace

"Halley's Comet"

"Halley's Comet"
Stanley Kunitz

Miss Murphy in first grade
wrote its name in chalk
across the board and told us
it was roaring down the stormtracks
of the Milky Way at frightful speed
and if it wandered off its course
and smashed into the earth
there'd be no school tomorrow.
A red-bearded preacher from the hills
with a wild look in his eyes
stood in the public square
at the playground's edge
proclaiming he was sent by God
to save every one of us,
even the little children.
"Repent, ye sinners!" he shouted,
waving his hand-lettered sign.
At supper I felt sad to think
that it was probably
the last meal I'd share
with my mother and my sisters;
but I felt excited too
and scarcely touched my plate.
So mother scolded me
and sent me early to my room.
The whole family's asleep
except for me. They never heard me steal
into the stairwell hall and climb
the ladder to the fresh night air.

Look for me, Father, on the roof
of the red brick building
at the foot of Green Street --
that's where we live, you know, on the top floor.
I'm the boy in the white flannel gown
sprawled on this coarse gravel bed
searching the starry sky,
waiting for the world to end.

I was at Marquette for a scholarship test on Saturday. I was testing for English, and I had to analyze this poem. After reading the poem, can anyone say what they think the deeper subject is? I think I answered it correctly on the test, but I want to hear other people's answers.

Love, grace

Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie

If I had to say what comes to mind when I think of winter Sundays...

Mass at St. Mary's, breakfast at PJ Klem's, coming home, Dad making a fire and turning on the polka station, then reading the newspaper while the kids do their homework and Mom does whatever needs to be done.

Lately, I've been asking my dad to polka with me. I sometimes wish I had grown up in a more cultured environment. I wish I could speak Polish and knew more Polish traditions, but at least I know how to Polka.

This is my favorite polka... it's called Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie. I can't find it by my favorite band... Eddie Blazonczyk and the Versatones, but here is the song. I remember on my 16th birthday, when all my friends were over, my dad blasted this song through the house when it was time to come up and have the brownie-cake my mom made for me (because I don't like real cake.) Haha, it was kind of embarrassing, but I'm glad that I have a favorite polka song. It makes me feel more Polish haha.

Jerusalem Cafe

I thought it was necessary to post these pictures from the Jerusalem Cafe side by side.

Love,

Grace