Sally Bolderson: Home

I just completed a wonderful week full of multiple blessings. Last week our parish held it's annual Vacation Bible School with the little kids, preschool through 6th grade. I provided the music that corresponded with the program they were doing. I sang with the kids before they went to their activities and then ended each evening with song. It was wonderful to see as they progressed each day with more confidence and energy. Each day they participated more and more. One particular song had a line about dancing, so each night I invited a few of the kids to come up and be my dancers! For the most part I was focused on my music but by the last night I was comfortable enough to catch a glance or two of them dancing. There were 2 of our littlest kids dancing and one of them had stayed with her mother through the week and she volunteered to come and join the others and her mom was pleasantly surprised at what appeared to be a milestone for this little one. Then another little girl I caught waving to her mom and dad sitting in the back and their smiles as they waved back. Ah, the beauty and innocence of the little ones!

Then having wrapped up the week of VBS, I decided to spend Saturday at the healing retreat at Our Sorrowful Mother's Ministry in Vandalia, Illinois with a friend of mine. I wasn't sure of the topic and if it was something I would necessarily relate to, but I enjoy the people there and went with that in mind. Well, the day started with Mass and it started with a bang as I had words of direction coming at me even from the homily! And the morning got even better, addressing directly to me on issues I had been pondering. Giving me the exact answers to some of my confusion. Wow, God is amazing!

And I have to thank "Mama" Mary, our Blessed Mother and Jesus for getting us home safely through the terrible storm!

Recently I have been going to a weekly Women's Prayer group and this week one woman talked about her family struggles. She has problems with an abusive father and siblings that take his side over hers.

This made me think of how blessed I have been my whole life to have been a part of a loving family. Having been in a positive family environment and surrounded by other families that were the same, I didn't think about just what a blessing that circumstance was and is.

I had the opportunity to revisit my childhood home last weekend during an open house. The current owners are selling it and as I walked through the familiar rooms, I was drawn back to the wonderful memories of my life in that house.

And as I reflected on the good memories, I also remembered the sad ones...the primary being that my father passed away in that house after struggles of prostate cancer in 2001.

This week in particular is very hard. It goes unsaid that tomorrow, being Father's Day, I remember my dad...my soul mate. And then on Wednesday, June 23rd I will remember what would have been his 84th birthday.

I follow that with Saturday, June 26th, with the memory of my brother, Bill who passed away one year ago on that day.

I miss them so much....and can only hope that I didn't take them for granted too much.

I love you Dad and Bill!

This Easter Season has been one of celebration! My good friends Matthew and Leah Baute were married on May 22nd . This is a very holy couple who have their faith deeply rooted in God and their Catholic faith. I was so blessed to be part of the music for their ceremony. They were married in Madison, Wisconsin. My husband, Dave and I made the drive (about 6 hours) and had a great weekend away.

This past Saturday, June 5th the Bishop DuBourg High School baseball team won the Missouri State High School championship! It was a great game! These guys have worked diligently to get here and claim the title of #1! They put their hearts and souls into it and came up victorious. Congratulations to all the team and coaches!