It's All in the Timing.

Today is me brother Phil's birthday.

The thing about his birthday which can never be forgiven is that it was in May. Specifically, of course, the 31st. The last day of the month. He could have held out.

Why, you ask (you did ask, didn't you?), is it such a big deal? Well, Bill and Ella Cosgriff had eight kids, so (check my math) there were 10 of us. And the birthdays were spread out quite evenly. Dad was born in January, Mom February 16, me older brother Bill in March, me in April, etcetera. We already had a birthday in May through me brother Patrick, and in July due to me sister Susan and brother Ed. This left June to fill the gap. And Phil was due June 13, which was interestingly me Grandpaw Hutchins (me Mom's dad) birthday. It would have been serendipity all the way around, family birthdays every month of the year through July and a shared birthdate with our beloved Grandpaw.

Then Phil skunks it all up.

Happy Birthday ya lout.

The War Effort

Me Grandpa Joe, during World War II, had his role on the home front. He worked at Willow Run, Michigan, where the Ford Motor Company made military aircraft, specifically B-24 Liberator Bombers. That thought got me to thinking about something else.

When our kids were toddlers and going through potty training, we would ask them from time to time if they needed to make 'bombers', that is, go number two. It was nothing more than a cutesy parental way to explain the process. Yet like other ideas, it had unintended consequences.

Several years after the boys had learned to manage such bodily functions, they happened to be with me as I was with a cousin. We were talking about Joe, specifically his war work. "He made bombers at the Willow Run airplane plant," I remember saying.

My sons stared at me, that awkward, confused, wondering stare which asked, "What in the world are you talking about?" What could the government possibly do with those? Did I mean that their Great Grandpa Joe's effusions were, uh, effective as munitions? His peculiar output was part of the war effort?

Of course not. Now that they're over the confusion, they understand.

To Wick or Not to Wick

This past weekend I bought three T-shirts which were advertised as 'wicking'. That is, they're supposed to draw off water and moisture. As they were only $7.99 and pocketed (I like pocketed tees) I bought them. But now I have a problem.

How do I wash the things? 

Memorial Day 2024

Today is the day where we remember those who gave their lives for our country defending our nation in war. I think this year I want to especially remember those who died because of the wars and battles they fought while not having actually been killed facing the enemy.

I'm thinking specifically about me Pops youngest brother, me Uncle John. While he didn't die until 2005, I don't think he ever completely left Vietnam. Pops always said Zeke was different after the War. I believe there were others with similar trials who, even after they came home, were still fighting. They deserve our thoughts and prayers too. Give them a minute this Memorial Day.

Holy Assurance

Today's Gospel ends with perhaps the most famous and significant promise of Christ: "Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age", St. Mark tells us. Jesus then ascends into Heaven before the confused Apostles.

If there is a greater assurance that God loves us I can't imagine it. He's always here, He will always look out for us. We forget that when all is well and, myself included, wonder where He really is in times of trouble. We're only human. When we're happy and content it seems as though that's the way it ought to be. When difficulties arise, we question everything. 

There's no need to question. We don't understand - we can't, at least not fully, understand - anything of the world. But He is with us. It'll be all right in the end. 

The Obvious

Several years ago me brother Phil had the opportunity to repair a drain snake cable. I don't recall where me or me Pops were that day, but so it goes.

The man brings in a large cage type snake to have an end installed on a cable he had broken. It's important to know that the unit was cage style, because that means you could see approximately how much cable was in it. The particular machine Phil dealt with had a capacity of 100 feet of 3/4 inch cable. This too is important to understand.

There was around 20 feet of cable in the machine, me brother guessed. "I can put an end on that, but it's really not enough to work with on main sewer lines," Phil advised the guy.

"But you can do it?" he said. Being told it can certainly be done, he instructed Phil to do it. So Phil did, and the man paid him.

Me brother went outside to help him load the machine onto his pickup truck. Then the man let the truth come out. "I rented this from a place and lost over 80 feet of cable in a sewer, so that's why I wanted you to put an end on it. Do you think they'll notice?"

Phil had to stifle a laugh. "I imagine they will," he opined, in as kindly a manner as he possible

What do you think? I bet you'd notice it was missing. Things like that are pretty obvious. 

Human Definition

Should we be defined by our careers? To a point, I suppose, but generally no. Even then, where our jobs may be of great importance, can what we do for a living be as important as what we do among family and friends in our personal lives?

Don't get me wrong: work is necessary, just, and holy itself when seen as a way to glorify God through the talents He has given us and by our efforts to use them wisely and well. Yet I would rather be known as a good Catholic and decent human being than a guy who knows a few things about drain snakes. Anyone can learn that. But only I can be the me who acts rightly and treats others well.

I think that's what gets lost in the recent Harrison Butker speech. We shouldn't care per se about the degrees we've earned or the jobs we hold. They're mere means to an end. One ESPN reporter (I'm too lazy too look up who she is or what she said exactly) remarked that the sportsball network won't be beside me on my deathbed but my family and friends will. That's because she's more important to them than her career may be.

This of course applies to men and women alike. And it requires decisions which the individuals involved in given situations have to sort out for themselves. But career versus family? That decision shouldn't even be close. Prioritize you life well, and don't be defined by the less important things in this world.