THE FINAL CHAPTER : A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY (Sept 2009 to Jan 2010)
At the Grotto of Our Immaculate Conception, in Lourdes
We have been in Lourdes for 25 days now.
Mom went to see Father Terry for confession today. She told the priest of all that has happened to us in Lourdes, and he listened very attentively.
At the end, Mom said,
“We’re going home tomorrow.
We’ll bring Daniel here every year until he fully recovers.”
The Priest was quick to say,
“Wait for Our Lady to invite first. Only come upon Her invitation. You are here now because She wants you to be here.”
The Priest gave Mom a knowing nod. He held her gaze steadily as she mentally fumbled with a hundred and one questions as to what that message meant.
Pause ...
She ignored the sudden goosebumps that had suddenly crept up her arms and the back of her neck. He made it sound like we would not be bringing You here to Lourdes next year. All her hopes that her Son would recover, little by little each day, were shredded instantly.
This couldn’t be Daniel’s first and last trip here, she had thought numbly.
Could it?
With grim determination, Mom forcefully pushed all negative thoughts out of her head, and mentally pieced her shattered hopes together again, as she stepped out of the confession box.
She did however, come to the understanding that, even if you had an itch or an urge to go to Lourdes, you’d probably not find yourself there unless you get the call first.
That part was very clear.
And so, reflecting back … when our family decided to go on this humble pilgrimage to Lourdes, it was upon Our Lady’s invitation.
Plain and simple.
From September 9 to 13, 2009.
That was the original plan.
5 days and 4 nights only.
Little did we know then, that God had His own plans …
