You may be familiar with a short story by Ann Wood, The Little Boy on the Train, in which she describes a young boy who wanted to travel by train, alone, to visit his grandmother. He had made the trip several times with his parents, and he felt he was ready to venture on the journey solo. At the train station, his father slipped him a note to put in his pocket, telling his son to read the message if he felt afraid or anxious.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to all of the moms, grandmas, moms-to-be, step-moms, and mother-like figures who make such an impact in our lives. Yesterday after Mass, my husband and I went to the cemetery to bring flowers to my mom’s grave. Rather than purchase something from the store, I cut some rose stems (I think I’m up to 17 rose bushes?) from my yard.

Throughout the course of a lifetime there are a few significant occasions that we recall vividly: marriage, the birth of our children, and perhaps a special family vacation likely top the list. As we get older, however, the past becomes murkier and details begin to fade, except for the select special events we hold dear to our hearts. Those memories are, thankfully, crystal clear.