Gifts

Photo: Porapak Apichodilok from Pexels

Last August, I helped pack up my sister’s belongings as she was preparing to move to a smaller apartment. It was an eye-opening experience. I knew she had a lot of stuff—clothes, knick-knacks and dollar store gifts—yet nothing prepared me for what I saw on the day I helped pack up her belongings. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

She had so much stuff; a portion of her belongings were gifts. She loved to give gifts to people. Her kindness of this selfless act touched me deeply that day. It had me thinking beyond the giving of a material gift, to the gift of time she also gave to so many people. She is probably the most generous woman I know. She loves to make people happy and laugh. She loves to share her life of faith through prayer and conversation. She believes in people, going out of her way to help someone in need. Her faith and kindness are gifts she always carries with her and continues to give away. As a woman of faith, my sister models for me that anything is possible if we take time to pray and spread a little kindness.

If you would like more information about Saint Benedict’s Monastery, please contact Sister Lisa Rose at lrose@csbsju.edu.

Lisa Rose, OSB