Eyes to See

Eyes to See!  Three little words but what an impact they made on my life today and in the lives of others who took part in the “resurrection” of a friendship of over 58 years ago!

It’s Holy Week and I’ve already posted a blog on Sunday evening entitled “Called to be a Donkey!”  I certainly wasn’t planning on posting another.

However, the Spirit had a different plan for me this evening and so I surrendered!

Some of the questions posed in that blog were:

How will you spend this week?  Would you be fearful to where Jesus might lead you?

The Door to the Attic

Yes, indeed, that is where Jesus led “this donkey” up the attic steps in my home.  Nothing to be fearful of unless the “donkey’s sure footing” wasn’t stable!  All seemed good!

With Easter Sunday fast approaching – I still had on our dining room table – the statues of the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph adoring Baby Jesus.  I knew they had to make the trip up to the third floor of our home and so up the flight of stairs I went with statues in tow.

Finding a safe place for them in the attic, I arranged them on an old desk that would become their “home” for the coming months before Advent returned once again.

“Eyes to See” – just three little words that were about to play out in a scenario that would continue into today’s dramatic events.

Jesus was surely opening a “door” or rather a “drawer to me!” One that was beautiful and filled with memories that would continue on into today.

The Two Pins

Pulling the desk drawer open – I found a black velvet box that revealed something shocking within!

I was taken aback for sure! There was a “little donkey pin” in the box with a little pearl encrusted on the side of its’ neck. Beside it lay a “flamingo pin.”   What were the chances!!!!  Just days prior, I had written the blog about the “donkey.”  This was absolutely crazy!

This gift captivated my heart in ways I could never express in mere words. My mother had given me that donkey pin before she died at age 40.  The other pin was a flamingo that belonged to her.  It was a souvenir from visiting Florida together as a family.

It seemed Jesus was taking the reins on “His donkey.” He was certainly guiding me to where I should go and what I should see.  He was leading me to such surprises to behold and all occurring during Holy Week.

It was also apparent to me that He was reuniting me with my mother in such a special way.  It was surely a “resurrection” of her being so present to the posting of my blog and giving her “Amen” to the finding of the pins.

When Christine invited me to blog in 2017 – she asked that the “bloggers” give a name to their postings.  Mine was and is  . . .”A Hand to Hold Through Life’s Journey.”  The reason I chose that title was that my mother packed my bags before she left for the eternal.  She packed my bags with Faith in God and His Mother.  I was seeing that with great clarity in the circumstances that were unfolding.

Roses on the Path

I’m truly a believer that the Blessed Trinity designs our paths.  Is it always rose covered roads?  I don’t think so.  There have been many deaths in the course of my life – my mother dying young, a boyfriend at age 19 killed in a horrific car accident, my dad. . .and numerous friends, family and neighbors.  Sickness and life situations that just arise out of the blue.  But there are always “angels” He sends along our way to help us get through those tough times. 

We need “eyes to see” the blessings of others throughout our lives.  Friendships made over the course of the years!  The ones that Jesus has brought alongside us to be companion “donkeys” as well.  The people who surrender their lives to the Lord and let Him lead on.  Souls that God chooses to be an instrument in the lives of others.

This is what this blog is all about – a “resurrection” moment of friendship today.  One of 58 years ago brought forth in many “eyes to see” today.

An Angel Meeting

There is a thrift shop that I have been visiting for the last three years if not more.  Over this time, friendships have been made and it is a complete joy to go and visit these wonderful women.

A couple of years ago when my grandson was born – one of the women asked what he might call me.  I responded, “I guess Grandma.”  She then shared with me a story about how she is called “Anya” by her grandchildren. I didn’t know her “given” name so since that moment – I always call her Anya!

Today, I considered a drop-off to the thrift shop to be an “angel meeting” designed by God.  A “reveal” so to speak of who “Anya” really was in my present and past life!

As one of the women put it – they felt they were watching a reality show!  And both Anya and I were the actors!  Only we weren’t acting!

Sprinkling Stardust

I can only say “sprinkling stardust” upon us all in that front room of the thrift shop is what transpired.  We were all covered with joy and love.  We were blanketed with light!  We also felt the “resurrection” that only the Holy Spirit could shower upon our hearts as we continued our chatting.

Our conversation continued about donkeys, pins and somehow took a left turn.  I wound up speaking about St. Boniface which was my Parish Church growing up.  It isn’t too far from Our Lady of Lourdes – at the thrift shop where we were holding our little “prayer meeting.”  Anya chimed in that St. Boniface had also been her Parish Church growing up.

Oh – “where did you live?” I asked!  She began to tell me but I wasn’t remembering the vicinity.  More questions ensued.  One sentence led into another and I began to speak of my boyfriend who was killed in the car accident I wrote of above.

Two Anita’s?????

Anya looked at me and said there could not be “two Anita’s” that lost their mother at ten years old and also lost their boyfriend at 19 in a car accident!

A moment of silence!  A moment of realization!  A moment of resurrection.

The stardust had just been sprinkled upon us “all.”

The Spirit Speaks

“Eyes to See!”  “Anita!  We were friends in high school!”  Words exclaimed by Anya!  All this time, I only knew this person standing before me as Anya!  She said, “Anita – I’m Roe!”

Anya would share how she thought of me over all the years that had passed.  She told me how it always made her sad that I had lost my mother at such a young age.  The tears flowed. . .and the hearts were open to the Spirit.  But there was more – way more!!!!!

 

A Future Husband

Oh my God!  Not only were we friends but I was with Roe the night I met my husband at a “red light.”  Roe was one year ahead of me and had her driving license.  The evening of November 27, 1967, a few of us went out.  As we stopped at the light – I noticed the car beside us.  Seeing two young handsome guys in the car, I thought I recognized one of them in the passenger seat.

Words were shared quickly before the light changed and they invited us to go and have a hamburger with them.  Back in that day you could trust people so we agreed. The next day it was decided that we would meet for Sunday Mass at St. Boniface Church. We wondered if they would show up! And they did!

Without getting into all the details of how all went forward – it is safe to say that I met my future husband Robert that night.  We would marry at a nuptial Mass in St. Boniface Church in 1971 and would have two beautiful sons and continue a wonderful and happy life together – all from a moment at a “red light.”

Giving to the Light

Jesus is always giving to the “Light” and asks us to do the same.  Isn’t that what “resurrection” is all about?  There is no darkness in Him because He does the Will of the Father.  When we are called upon to be that donkey – only good can be on our path.  We are doing the “Will of the Father” as well.

 A dear friend commented in a text about the blog on the donkey as follows:

“I love this story and all that you shared around it

and I want to be that donkey with the Cross on my back always.”

Today it seemed there was a “gathering of donkeys” at the Thrift Shop – all guided by the Lord – to witness His Love and His Designs for each and every one of us.

How beautiful is that!!!!

A Blessed Easter to All

©2025 Anita Guariglia

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