Keep Calm and Call The Nuns

"I can't walk this road without you, you cannot go it alone.

We were never meant to make it on our own.

And when the load becomes too heavy and your feet are too tired to walk,

I'll carry you and we'll be carried on."

- "I'll Carry You", Rebecca St. James

   

     This is the most accurate description of my panic button. I'm feeling a little dreary in my spiritual life? Call the nuns. Don't know how to politely decline a marriage proposal? Call the nuns. Don't know what courses to take for next semester? Call the nuns. Need a smile? Call the nuns. Need a hug? Call the nuns. The fire alarm is going off at work and you don't know what to do? Call the nuns. Need some ice cream? Call the nuns. Can't figure out a math problem? Call the (right) nuns. Need anything? Call the nuns. You get the point.

     These past few days have been filled with me "calling the nuns." Ironically enough, I've only actually had to call the nuns once. All the other times I needed something, they were already there, waiting for me to ask! On Thursday, I once again spent the day at Nazareth for Pre-Student Teaching Observations. However, this week was a little different because it was All Saints' Day and we were blessed with the opportunity to go to Mass! I absolutely love going to Mass with my Naz girls; there is something so beautiful about going to it. My favorite part, however, was getting able to sit with my closest Nazareth Sister. Sister David was the first sister I ever told I was maybe, possibly, quietly thinking about religious life. Without screaming her head off in excitement, she quietly said, "Oh I know, dear. I've known all along." Weird. But accurately true. Whenever I needed any type of guidance in the "religious life" area, I'd call her. Thursday, I was calling on her to pray with me and warm my heart. She came when I called and I kept calm.

     However, the endless saga of my life with the nuns continues as I went back to work on Thursday night. There is never a dull moment in this "life with the nuns" and most nights than not, something really weird happens in the Portress Office. I used to think it was just me, but apparently it happens to the other portresses just not as often. In the Portress Office is a mailbox for every single sister who lives at the Motherhouse. However, if any sister gets a package, it kind of just chills on the desk or the floor depending on the size. You can guess what was in the portress office this time: A giant package for one of the littlest sisters there. Before anyone could suggest she "wheel it up on the cart" she was opening it. I watched as a "mother of many" as paper quickly filled the floor and sisters quickly filled the office. Before I knew it, the whole office was filled with all sorts of sisters. Whenever hype is happening, they flock and it made my night. As the unveiling of a perfect painting took place, sisters were oohing and ahhing at the excitement! Meanwhile, a few sisters were trying to figure out a math problem resulting in much laughter from everyone else and a smile from me. I needed a smile, so the sisters came when I called and I kept calm.

      Friday was an absolutely long day as I worked both with Sister Cathy and at the Motherhouse. Of course, working with Sister Cathy is always a joyous and adventurously fun time. However, the calling of "my nun" didn't come until Mass when we weren't actually working. Every Friday (for the most part) I go to work at 9:30am and then we go to Mass together at noon since she is Sacristan. Most times than not, I get to read! Since yesterday was All Souls' Day, there were two readings. However, if you ever took a look at the book, you'd realize that there are actually a few less than a million reading options for Mass. So, of course, when she asked me to read, I said sure. Then I saw the book. Guess who came to the rescue?! Yep, Sister Cathy. And of course, we had a fun time sticky noting the lectionary. I'm pretty sure we made the best reading duo the noon Mass had ever seen! Sister Cathy (in that moment and in so many more) came when I called, and I kept calm. 

       Finally at the Motherhouse last night, I was in need of some ice cream, some laughter, and a fire department. The ice cream came about 6:30 when the halls, phones and doors were silent. I was casually reading some Ancient Greek Drama (for class...) when my dear Annie Fran showed up. Within a few moments, she was forgetting why she even came to the portress office in the first place and was sitting, chatting with me, checking up on me. It was so lovely finally catching some ice cream with her! A few minutes after she left, the sister carrying laughter came. Of course, this sister and I go back before her pre-convent days and so, laughter comes easy with us. It had been a while but finally, we caught up. During her visit, not only did the fire alarm go off, but also some random cell phone in the office and the regular phone. So, while I was checking the book for the Maintenance Man's home phone number, Sister Melissa was answering the desk phone and I was simultaneously answering the cell phone (that really, I had no idea it existed until last night). It was mass havoc, and I didn't know really what to do. So, I really called Sister Marie and she helped me with the fire alarm dilemma. And thank God, Sister Melissa was there, else I'd have had to call for backup. But because I called the nuns,  and they answered, I kept calm. 

       You see, I'm convinced that the sisters know everything. Well, about me. And that's because they are my sisters. Whenever I am in doubt, or I need help, or just need a smile or a laugh, I can literally call them anytime and they will be there for me! I am so blessed to have such beautiful women in my life who are always more than willing to help me out! I'm blessed to have my sisters who take time out of their day simply to just check up on me and those sisters who take time out of their day to delve into those really deep heart to heart conversations I need to have every so often. I'm blessed for the sisters who pray with me, and who laugh with me. I'm blessed that know that "Stay Calm and Call the Nuns" is extremely accurate for my life!

         On one final note, while I'm thinking of getting this made into a poster to hang in my room, I'm also thinking of having one made that says, "Stay Calm and ask the Portress" to send to the poor lost Mercy Sisters I helped out today. Having come to campus for the monthly In-Search workshop, they wound up on the wrong side. So, I gave them a few directions and lots of love to In-Search! It was great! Sometimes, actually, all the time, we have to pass on the blessings we are given to others! So, when you need to Keep Calm...what do you do?