Marilyn Sherman

The world lost a very good man this morning.  Henry van der Voort was my husband Yves’ uncle.  Yves often referred to Uncle Henry as “My second dad”.  I never knew Yves dad, so in the beginning of our relationship I often said “your dad called” and quickly caught myself saying “I mean, Uncle Henry called”. 

Yves and Uncle Henry were very close… so very close.  I believe Uncle Henry helped shape Yves into the man he is today. So I love Uncle Henry and thank him for his unending positive influence on the man I married. 

Uncle Henry died peacefully early this morning surrounded by his two daughters and Yves.  It was a very moving passing of a very special man.  He lived a very full life and turned 92 this past December.  He was a gem, a rare find in this day and age.  In a world where marriages have a 50% success rate, he is survived by his wife Rolande who he has been married to for 62 years.  His two sons and one of his daughters have been married for over 20 and 30 years.  Uncle Henry was an example of kindness, generosity, warmth, faith and love.  He showed affection to “My Rolande” even as she suffered from Alzheimer’s. 

Uncle Henry had very special friends, and one of his closest friends was his sister Thérese.  I never met her, Yves mother, either.  I loved to learn more about her through stories from Uncle Henry.  He always had a sparkle in his eye when he talked of his sister.  Then again, he was a charming man and he almost always had that sparkle in his eye.

I often told Uncle Henry that if I had a fraction of his wisdom, I would be very wise indeed.  I can‘t remember his exact words, but his message to me was ‘it’s all about love’. 

I am glad I got to see him last night, kiss him and tell him thank you.  He has opened his family to me which I am a part of now.  He has enriched my life.  Thank you Uncle Henry…Au revoir. 

Today, being Ash Wednesday, my husband and I went to mass. Ash Wednesday is the first of the 40 days of Lent. This is the time where catholics are preparing their hearts for Easter. This is commonly known as the most important time of the year for catholics, a time for spiritual renewal.

Many people, when they talk of Lent, ask: “So, what are you going to give up this year?” But going to mass today, the message had quite a different slant to the typical cliche of these 40 days of Lent. The priest included in his homily an anonymous quote to illustrate his point and I loved it! Immediately after church, I asked the priest if I could have a copy of it. He said; “They are making copies of it in the office.” I went to the office and there were 25 people waiting for copies!

I am posting this in my BLOG under my ‘Spirituality’ category, but it could also go just as easily under other categories as well.

What I especially liked about the following words is that you don’t have to be catholic to connect with them. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did today.

“Lent is a season of fasting. We can use Lent to fast from certain things and to feast on others. An anonymous author has pinned these words regarding fasting and feasting:

Lent is a season in which we can:

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of life.

Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from Anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trusting God.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on positive.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from excessive self concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on divine providence.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from discouragement, feast on hope.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from shadows of sorry; feast on the sunlight of serenity.

Fast from gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer.”

This is inspiring! Now, if anyone asks you what are you giving up, you can say something from above and also mention what you’re going to feast on!

I know I am going to try to fast on several of these. Hopefully, this is a fast that will last for more than 40 days!

Enjoy and I’ll see you in the front-row!

Marilyn Sherman

www.MarilynSherman.com

Marilyn@Marilynsherman.com