As I sit and have my cup of coffee with Jesus, I was thinking about grieving.

Grief is a difficult task to undertake, and it can catch you by surprise years later.

I think back to when one of my close friends went to see the Lord.

Father Larry was a priest for over 50 years and spent the last 28 years coming to my parishes, celebrating both Easter and Christmas, and spent a month in the summer (takes a special friend to come to Bakersfield in June and July!) He spent his life in Catholic education, but, most of all, he had a deep and close relationship with Our Lord.

I miss our Sunday night talks, the holidays, the traveling, and the summers. I miss my friend.

But I also sit out daily talking with our Lord, dreaming of that time that I see Jesus face to face.

I know there are stages of grieving. I have watched them and been through this before.

Today, I am going to choose to celebrate my friend!

I am having a second cup of coffee with Jesus and thanking HIM for the years he gave me with him.

I am going to reflect on his new life with our Lord, a life that he worked so hard for.

I am going to lift up his family, the Marianist community, and all the lives he impacted.

And I say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant, go and share your Master’s reward.”

And you would be very proud of your family, they think of you every day, they feel your presence, and they trust in God.

Have a blessed day!