Flying Nuns!

I saw something today that has had me grinning ever since. I had my twins at the park today. We took our usual walk around the nature trail and had a packed lunch. While we were resting and eating, four nuns stopped to chat with my kids. They were so sweet. They were Little Sisters of the Poor.

After lunch, we took a walk along the lake. The park is a wonderful place with a 100-acre lake. At the boat house, you can rent all sorts of watercraft and bikes, etc. As we near the boathouse, I see the nuns pulling out of the dock in a motor boat. They are in full habit! As they pulled away from the dock, their habits were blowing in the wind and I have to tell you, several heads were turned! They weren't just rolling along either, they didn't actually pay attention to the "no wake zone" by the dock. The driver was the baby of the bunch (by "baby" I mean nearing 60). The other three were every bit of 75 and some probably not so far away from 80.

This got me thinking about nuns, God Bless them! I have been around a lot of them because my aunt is a member of the Sisters of the Divine Providence. I love to go to the convent; it is so beautiful and peaceful. But it's sad these days, there are more in the retirement home than working now. Did you know that nuns don't get a 'retirement'? They quit working when they just can't anymore. They rely solely on themselves and private donations for retirement. At my aunt's convent which is modeled after the Mother House in France, they are having problems paying the heating bill because there aren't enough working nuns earning salaries anymore. My aunt has had a good life and is full of such wisdom and love. She has seen so much in her day (she just turned 80).

But for those of us who grew up knowing nuns as a staple in the Catholic community, it worries me what happens next? We need to remember to support them financially as we can. Our priests are aging too, but the Diocese' set up retirement funds for them. Our nuns play the same roles in life that us mothers do. It is a thankless job and their endless work and dedication is too often unnoticed. Just had to get this out....visit your local sisters at the nursing home. They love the company and if you are looking for a good cause, donate to them!

My Aunt is getting ready to celebrate her 60th jubilee in the convent. We have always called her the flying nun because in her younger days, she was quite the speed demon behind the wheel! In fact, the sisters eventually allowed her only to drive the older cars at the convent! (for example, she drove through my grandfather's garage door once!) I have so many funny stories to tell growing up with her. Maybe after her Jubilee in June, I will dedicate a few posts to her. Not just the funny ones either. Like I said, she is 80 and still trucking along. She can't drive anymore, but she has conned my father into taking her and a man she used to care for who is paranoid schizophrenic to lunch once a month. My dad says it is the scariest thing he has ever done, and she doesn't even bat an eye! Nuns aren't these strange beings, they have seen more of the real world than most of us. Without them, a lot of needy children and adults would have no one to take care of them.

But thank you sisters for showing me how much strength women can have! And thank you for the chuckle today on the boat. I hope you enjoyed your beautiful May afternoon on the lake!

(p.s. each of them had their sandles and pantyhose on with the habit!)