Sunday, May 20, 2012
Even Though I Am Not a Dog Person
Sunday at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
It is not the first time we were at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, where we had attended the niece's wedding and visited several times in the past. However it is the first time we attended a Sunday service there. It is an entirely new experience from our Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.
First of all, it has a congregation of thousands, compared with Prophet Elias' dozens. There are nearly a dozen of priests and deacons milling around on the altar, compared with our lone Father Denis and Deacon Dr. Nick. Three priests conducted our communions for three long queues. But everyone was polite and orderly, almost the same as in our little church. Even babies and toddlers screamed just once in a while.
For some reason, I missed the intimacy so characteristic of Prophet Elias in the grand Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. But of course, it is a typical new comer's impression. I am sure that most of congregation still get their intimacy out of the anonymity after decades of Sunday church going. I am glad that we went and gained a new perspective toward grandiose and humble churches.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day!
In less than 5 minutes, it will be 2012's Mother's Day, a celebration of mothers, motherhood and mothers' contributions to society on the second Sunday of May in United States and elsewhere in March or April. Claimed as an American invention, Mother's Day might still have some roots to Cybele, originally Anatolian mother goddess.
Whether invention or not, I am glad that there is a day dedicated to mothers around the world. At least on this day we have time to refresh our close bonds to our mothers who have given life to us. Time flies and life is too short. If we do not catch the moment, we will live a life without reflection or gratitude.
Our mother gave birth to four of us, my elder sister who died at 3, myself, younger sister and youngest brother. We three surviving siblings are very close because of the equal love and equal education encouraged in our family. In the late 80s, three of us left Shanghai for the States to study at various prestigious universities. It is our parents, especially our mother, who managed to take care of her elderly father-in-law, husband and grandson for almost a decade without our help. After the emigration of grandson in 1997, and the passing of father-in-law and husband in 1999 and 2001, our mother was immigrated to join us in 2003.
Unfortunately our mother cannot always remember all these events, because of her Alzheimer's disease. But because of the effective medication, she has good and bad days, but well-taken care of by her nurses and doctors in her manor, and visited daily by my sister and brother after work. Sometimes, she thinks that she is still working, and not retired yet at age of 80. What a hardworking mother!
Happy Mother's Day!
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