These Are My Flowers

 

"...My sorrows, my happiness, my little sacrifices-these are my flowers!"

This quote is derived from a wonderful and beautiful book about Leonie Martin or Sister Francoise-Therese, also known as St. Therese the little flower's older sister. It's a book I've been reading these past few days, and how to describe it would be amazing, interesting, comforting, spiritually enriching. How much wisdom The Little Flower has given the Church, and reading more about the family and in particularly, Leonie's path and journey is beyond beautiful. I feel that I am right there with them, in their sisterhood, struggles, spiritual journey and desires, so much.

 Above my bed, I have an image sent from my dear sister of the quote from St. Therese, 'My vocation is love'. How true it is, that our life is meant to be one of great love, giving, self-sacrifice and all for the glory of God. It's easy to forget that when some days are more dragging and harder than others. 

I feel so much connected to this French family, the spiritually enriching story of all the 5 sisters who became convent nuns (4 Carmelite, 1 Visitation Order). I only recently connected my wearing the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel scapular to this family, these sisters, and St. Therese. And also, learning that Leonie joined the Visitation Order after a few attempts. This order was found by St. Francis de Sales, another saint whom I was intrigued learning more about and happened to come across one of his famous books regarding spiritual direction, I was amazed. 

I feel there are so many crossovers with these saints, this family that feels more and more like home. And they are home, home in heaven, interceding for us. (My dear sister received the parents, Sts. Louis and Zelie as her patron saints of the year!)

I feel that my flowers are many, various things that can bring upon sainthood, holiness, I guess you could say the everyday, the ordinary. The above picture is an example of that, at my job, and doing my best to remain joyful, and attentive to how I can make it better. I was wearing a green scarf that brought me to reflection of these dear French sisters/saints, since the scarf is originally from France, a gift from my brother-in-law's mom. 

And I couldn't but help but think of Leonie's story, and how much I could relate in my own way. Her doubts, struggle, cricked path towards her vocation and seeing all her sisters- younger and older as well as a cousin go before her in their consecrated lives to God, full of joy, certainty and confidence for their clear path. How much beauty God bestowed on Leonie, yet how many thorns along the way of her suffering, and crosses in order for Him to lead the way.

While at Mass, I see mostly rose bushes, but I have sighted two or three luscious and vibrant red roses. I have roses in a vase on my desk now, and five more downstairs, all somewhat different but beautiful just the same. It reminds me of these 5 sisters, each their own unique path, yet facing the same direction, God. 

Just this week, we visited Ignacio's grave and put red and white roses on his grave. How beautiful it was, yet how melancholy and emotional. I feel more of his consolation, his presence guiding his little God mother. How much he can teach us who is so young, so pure, innocent and so wise in heaven. 

My flowers feel an array, with some of my favorites, roses, lilies, carnations.. Each day brings its own beauty, its own struggles, demands, its own graces.  But in the end, it will all be a gift back to God. 

As we visited the gravesite, how wonderful, enriching, eye opening it is to be near death, near our destination looking at all those who have gone before us, with their own journey, story, pain, joy. May all the various experiences of life be turned to flowers, a way to grow closer to faith, to God and become all the more beautiful because of it.