THANK YOU

Trying to decide on a birthday present for someone special is tough. What would they like? What do they need? What can I afford to give to them? Where can I find their present? When should I give it to them? Send it in the mail? Give it to them in person? Sometimes we may put to much pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift.

The perfect gift. Today is Father Bill Bodart's birthday and I have been struggling as how to celebrate it. Why was it even on my mind to celebrate the birthday of a man who been dead since 1997? That would be hard to explain to anyone but the people who came to know him as their pastor. His influence gradually seeped into my being and, as of late, he has been in my thoughts and prayers.

So I checked his obituary online last week and found that his birthday was indeed in June and that it was on the 8th. What gift could I get him? I could spend a day on retreat. I could spend some quiet time with the writings of Father Richard Rohr. I could gather with other parishioners and pray. But, as the day drew near, I realized that a quiet remembrance would be the most appropriate.

I remembered that in the few months before he died, he told us at mass that he decided that on his tombstone he wanted written "Thank You". I have never been to his gravesite to see if that was indeed on his stone, but I remembered how serious he was in his wish to be remembered for being thankful, to God, his family, his fellow religious, and his parishioners.

So last week, I made sure that I wrote Thank You notes and gave tokens of my appreciation to my young 'staff' of college kids who help so unselfishly at our retreats and seminars. Father would have smiled at their enthusiam and their potential. I went to my parlor this evening to say a quiet rosary for the man to whom I respected like no other. Father would have smiled at me. Then, I came to my laptop to communicate with other parishioners about remembering what Father Bill meant to us, and what he taught us. Father would have smiled at how far we've come since we sat at his feet.

Did Father like my gift? Did I give what I could afford? Did I deliver it in a timely fashion? Seems silly to even wonder about it. His gift was giving thanks, and he will be satisfied with me as long as I return thanks as well. The perfect gift.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FATHER !!!