Blog – Joyful Like Maggie

Maggie, ever-forgiving

I was working full time as a cashier and stocker at a liquor store. It was the first time in four years that I had held a job for more than a few months. I was getting ready to quit my second attempt at college after having accumulated a shameful amount of debt. And, having just turned 25, I was now father to a second kid, Magdalene Thérèse. As is often the case with males

October 7, 2020

How to Embrace Suffering | Into the Breach

We have some exciting news to share! In 2015, the bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, AZ, Bishop Thomas Olmstead, wrote a letter to the men of his diocese called Into the Breach. The phrase “into the breach” comes from the Bible, specifically, from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel: “And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I

March 16, 2020

Grief Is Complicated

What is grief? How does it impact the person? What can you do to help a friend who is grieving? In order to help someone who is grieving, we must first attempt to understand what it means to walk in their shoes. One of my goals with this blog is to show you, with words, what grief is like. Leave behind the “I could never imagine” and begin to imagine with me for just one

February 17, 2020

What I’ve Learned About Graves

As I type the title to this latest blog post it shocks me to my core and I dissolve into tears. In a million years I never would have thought that I would be advising other grieving families on their child’s gravesite. It is something I had never stopped to imagine or consider and I know that most people don’t. It’s just not a normal thing to think about. As I have walked this path

January 21, 2020

Joyful Like Maggie

1 week ago

Our Maggie had an amazing sense of humor. She made us laugh every single day. She was always saying something silly or just straight up ridiculous. She was really shy as a little girl and had just broken out of her shell over the past couple of years. She showed the world that she wasn't afraid to play football, scooter in sparkly shoes, have two best friends, love Jesus, build an awesome Minecraft village, play in the mud with her little sister, and just be a kid. She was awesome. And we miss all of this passionately. But now she has a bigger stage and is showing the world how a very normal little girl becomes a saint. Just like St.Thérèse of Lisieux (Maggie's namesake) our Maggie lived a simple life. A normal life. But she lived it with joy and a deep spirituality. Maggie shows us that we too can live simple, normal, lives and become saints. Maggie shows us that Jesus MEANT IT when He said that unless we are like these little ones we will not enter the Kingdom. #JoyfulLikeMaggie #childloss ...

View on Facebook

Joyful Like Maggie

1 week ago

Joyful Like Maggie Novena - Day 9In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to St Luke:"And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. ... While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, 'Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.' And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, 'Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, 'Child, arise.'" (Luke 8:41‭-‬42‭, ‬49‭, ‬52‭-‬54)We rightly praise You, Jesus, for raising from the dead Jairus' 12 year old daughter. But why, O Lord, do we not praise You as much when she died the second time? "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping." Was this not true the second time? "And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead." And was this also not true the second time? "But taking her by the hand he called, saying, 'Child, arise.'" And this, too, Lord?Every miracle You performed was only ever to encourage and convince us of what was beyond death, not to cheat it. You yourself showed us that suffering and death are inevitable but not invincible. Lord Jesus Christ, we lay ourselves before You as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. We lay our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren before You. Some of us lay coffins and graves before You, and wounded hearts too, Lord.[State your child's or childrens' names -- whether adult, teenager, child, toddler, infant, unborn, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, heavenly and spiritual children included -- and whatever your intention is for them.]Joyful Maggie, child of God, Jesus called you to himself (cf Mk 10:13-16) to sit with Him in the heavenly places (cf Eph 2:6) and share more perfectly in His reign (cf 2 Tim 2:12). And now you are among the "great cloud of witnesses" that surround us in the midst of our daily lives (Heb 12:1).As we conclude this novena on this feast day of yours, heavenly little sister, pray for our intentions before the Throne, and let us know that it was you who smiled joyfully upon us.Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come.thy will be doneon earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.Amen.Glory be to the Fatherand to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginningis now, and ever shall beworld without end.Amen.Joyful Maggie, child of God, pray for us! ...

View on Facebook

Joyful Like Maggie

2 weeks ago

Joyful Like Maggie Novena- Day 8In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to St Matthew:"And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said ... 'What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.'" (Matt18:2‭, ‬12‭-‬14)You go in search of not only sheep but lambs too, Jesus! With a kid physically next to you, in the midst of the gathering, you declared, "it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." I believed You when Maggie was baptized as an infant. I believed You when I stood next her lifeless body. And I believe You now, Lord. So many of us have watched our children die, my King. Death seems so clearly to have lead our lambs astray from us who remain. Strengthen our faith, Lord Jesus, to know that You have sought our child out in lost-ness of death and have found him/her, because it is not the will of the Father "that one of these little ones should perish." Their angels behold the Father's face, while the Son saves them with His embrace, and by the Spirit they "finish the race" (2 Tim 4:7).[State your child's or childrens' names -- whether adult, teenager, child, toddler, infant, unborn, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, both spiritual and heavenly included-- and whatever your intention is for them.]Joyful Maggie, child of God, Jesus called you to himself (cf Mk 10:13-16) to sit with Him in the heavenly places (cf Eph 2:6) and share more perfectly in His reign (cf 2 Tim 2:12). And now you are among the "great cloud of witnesses" that surround us in the midst of our daily lives (Heb 12:1).Having only lived 10 years, 11 months, 2 weeks, and 3 days, Maggie, you died. That's the way in which we speak about these kinds of things this side of the grave. But it was not the will of our Father, who art in heaven, that you should perish. And so now you are among "the children crying out in the temple, 'Hosanna to the Son of David!'" (Matt 21:15). For you and them, all of suffering is but a footnote to the joy of heaven.Pray for us, my love, especially those who support and are a part of Joyful Like Maggie community. Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come.thy will be doneon earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.Amen.Glory be to the Fatherand to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginningis now, and ever shall beworld without end.Amen.Joyful Maggie, child of God, pray for us! ...

View on Facebook

Joyful Like Maggie

2 weeks ago

At about 5:20 pm on May 5th, 2018 the deepest conversion experience of my life began to take place as our Maggie began her final journey. One of the moments most burned in my mind is the Careflight. This is where I felt a deep conversion, an almost primitive awakening, taking place. I am terrified of heights. It is an almost uncontrollable fear and makes no sense to me. As doctors and nurses were prepping Maggie to be transferred via ambulance they suddenly switched us to Careflight. The helicopter landed and the team rushed in. They were led by a tall, strong, outspoken man. I don't know his name. I don't remember the names of anyone who served me and my little girl that day. All I know is that they were kind, capable, and full of concern. I walked out onto the landing pad and had to control the real fear rising up inside of my belly and chest. It wanted to spill over and bubble out but I pushed it back. I promised Maggie that I would go with her on this journey. We boarded the helicopter and the team made sure we were secure. As we prepared to lift off the man in charge told me to put a hand on Maggie. I put my hand on her leg as it was the only part of her I could reach. The blades began to whirl. Faster and faster. I closed my eyes. They handed me a bag to vomit in. I knew I would be stronger than that. We lifted off the pad and rose higher and higher as we rushed towards Dallas. My little girl was on the verge of death and I still had no idea. I just knew what the doctor had said. "It is really bad."As we flew toward Dallas I felt an overwhelming sense that I needed to pray and worship. My dear husband had been telling me for the past year, "The only appropriate response to hardship is to worship God." Our immediate response was being prepared. With one hand on my baby and one hand lifted in the air I did just that. The words poured out of my mouth. I did not make promises. I did not beg. Oh God, I praise Your Name. You are Holy. You are Worthy. I praise You. I worship You. If it be Your will please spare my baby. You alone are worthy. Oh, Jesus. How I love you. For whatever the length of time is between Children’s Plano and Children’s Dallas this is all I did. I opened my eyes twice to look outside only to quickly shut them again so I did not become overwhelmed with fear. The only other times I opened my eyes was to look at my daughter's face.There are certain memories that stand out to me. The "thud thud thud" of the blades. The roar of the engine. The sunlight as it streamed between the blades creating a pulsating light. The warm skin of my daughter's leg. My heartfelt sighs and cries and worship too deep for words to express. The tears just below the surface. The feeling of strength coursing through my body preparing me for what was to come. The love expressed for my darling girl. It was during this flight that I became the warrior woman God had created me to be. I went to battle not with weapons of flesh and blood but on my knees in worship and thanksgiving for my battle was not against flesh and blood but against that evil one who prowls about the world seeking the ruin of souls. - Maggie's Mom#JoyfulLikeMaggie #childloss #braintumor #siblingloss #griefjourney #catholicfaith ........................................................................Read Maggie's story here joyfullikemaggie.com/ourmission/maggie/ ...

View on Facebook

Joyful Like Maggie

2 weeks ago

Joyful Like Maggie Novena - Day 7The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Writing to his disciple Timothy, the Apostle Paul states:"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors ... I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well." (2 Tim 1:3‭, ‬5)May we never forget, Jesus, that the "great cloud of witnesses" that surround us includes, not just priests and nuns, and scholars and intellectuals, but mothers, grandmothers and children.Speaking of these "saints next door," Pope Francis says, "Their lives may not always have been perfect, yet even amid their faults and failings they kept moving forward and proved pleasing to the Lord. ... [The] parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile. In their daily perseverance I see the holiness of the Church militant." The Pope continues, "Very often it is a holiness found in our next-door neighbours, those who, living in our midst, reflect God’s presence. We might call them 'the middle class of holiness.'" (On the Call to Holiness in Today's World, para. 3, 7)[State your child's or childrens' names -- whether adult, teenager, child, toddler, infant, unborn, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, heavenly and spiritual included-- and whatever your intention is for them.]Joyful Maggie, child of God, Jesus called you to himself (cf Mk 10:13-16) to sit with Him in the heavenly places (cf Eph 2:6) and share more perfectly in His reign (cf 2 Tim 2:12). And now you are among the "great cloud of witnesses" that surround us in the midst of our daily lives (Heb 12:1).Your own mother and paternal grandmother, and even your paternal great-grandmother whom you knew throughout your life, helped hand the faith of our ancestors on to you. Pray for us, Maggie, that imperfect though we are, we will strive to hand on the faith of our people - the People of God - to our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren with both conviction and joy.Our Father who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come.thy will be doneon earth, as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread,and forgive us our trespasses,as we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil.Amen.Glory be to the Fatherand to the Sonand to the Holy Spirit,as it was in the beginningis now, and ever shall beworld without end.Amen.Joyful Maggie, child of God, pray for us! ...

View on Facebook

Keep in Touch...

© 2019 Joyful Like Maggie | Site Design by The Biz Runners

×