When you know what is essential...

The guest blogger this week is Jeanne Branchaud, SSJ.  For the past seven years, Jeanne has served as congregational representative for our sisters in our health care center.


Walking into one of the dayrooms at Mont Marie Health Care Center during breakfast is always one of the pleasures of my day.  One of our sisters with severe Alzheimer's disease looks up from her breakfast, greets me with a big smile that says I better come over and have a moment with her.  Often she is lost in time, back when she was more in control of life and will give me some school related task to complete as I kiss her on the forehead.

As the Congregational Representative I have always felt that I hold a privileged position in the community.  I journey with our sisters and others in ways in which no one else could really ever know unless they've held this position.  I get to walk with them in joyful as well as difficult moments of life.  I am frequently in awe of these women I minister to or, more so, with.

I have learned that we all reach a point in life when big things just aren't important anymore.  We have to let go and learn to live in the love of those around us and our God.  It's not the words that are always important, but our actions - a touch on the hand, a gentle rub on the back or a kiss on the forehead.  It is being there that counts, even if just for a few moments in a classroom years ago.