“Let Go – Let God!”

“Let Go – Let God” was a favorite mantra that a dear friend named “Peggy” used constantly in her daily conversations with “whomever!”  The “whomever” were friends, family and people she just met or “whomever” God wanted to get His message to by way of Peggy!

I just returned from her Funeral Mass celebrated by 8 priests on the Altar of Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Malverne, New York.  Did I plan on writing this blog right now?  Nada!  As I would say!  But writing is such a beautiful way to express feelings and to share them with others.

A Listening Ear

Peggy had many gifts that were bestowed upon her during her lifetime.  She was one who “lived” her faith – and was a “living” witness to whomever she met.  The “gift” that most touched my heart was that Peggy had a “listening ear!”  She listened for the words not “spoken” aloud but silent words that were spoken interiorly within the heart.

“Let Go – Let God” was Peggy’s way of saying “listen! ….let Him be God and let go!”

I remember just last summer when both Peggy and myself lost a mutual friend. . .one that we loved very much. Brokenhearted, I found myself leaving the cemetery in tears – downcast and sorrowful.

I would receive a phone call that evening at 6:00 p.m.  It was Peggy!  In a loud commanding voice – not with a hello – but with the following words:  “The Holy Spirit told me to call you Anita!” 

We engaged into a conversation that lasted over three hours.  Her husband, Mike, must have thought she went missing!  And…that is exactly the right word….for Peggy never “missed” an opportunity to “minister” love to another.  I hung up the phone that evening with a “changed heart” – one that was “bandaged” by another sister in Christ.

A Daughter of Mother Mary

Peggy belonged to the Legion of Mary at her cherished Church – Our Lady of Lourdes and also the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.  She was also the “Voice of the Village” of Malverne.  Peggy wasn’t afraid to voice the truth of our Catholic Faith – even to her beloved priests.  She loved them all, protected them with great courage and had fortitude like I’ve never seen in many people!

I remember the last time I saw her.  We were sitting in front of a beautiful image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I had just brought some little gifts for her for Christmas.  One was a little wooden box that had the words – “Let Go and Let God.”

It seems that right after that little visitation at Our Lady of Lourdes Church – I would hear that Peggy took ill and had to be hospitalized.  The situation seemed to be critical with “heart” surgery on the docket . . .which indeed did happen.   She certainly lived those words of “Let Go – and Let God”….for Peggy would remain in the hospital for Christmas.  I got to speak to her on one of her return trips home.  She sounded weak but determined to fight the situation she found herself in.

And fight she would…for she returned back to the hospital to do her part….to live the beautiful life God had given her. . .however that was not to be.

The 12 Star General

I always teased Peggy that she was Mother Mary’s “12 Star General.”

Quoting from an article on the internet July 2, 2024 written by Robert Carlson – he states the following to the question – “What do the stars on a military uniform mean?”

“Stars on a military uniform unequivocally represent General Office Rank, indicating the highest echelons of leadership and command within a service.  The number of stars corresponds directly to the officer’s grade, reflecting increasing levels of responsibility, authority and strategic influence.”

What is basically written in answer to this question is that the stars just don’t adorn the shoulders and collars of military uniforms – “they are potent symbols of achievement and significant responsibility.”

Mother Mary Comes for Her General

Peggy came home for a second time but not for long.  The news went out for “urgent prayer”…that Peggy was in critical condition.  We heard that Fr. Jim went to give her last rites and everyone’s hearts sank.  It looked like we were losing her but Heaven was gaining a 12 Star General!  A soul who would intercede for all those that were still left on earth fighting the good fight by the example she set!

There is never a mix-up of dates in God’s Divine Appointment Book!  Mother Mary – Our Lady of Lourdes would come for her daughter on February 11th, 2026 – the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Peggy knew her mission from the very beginning.  She was sent to earth – baptized a Catholic and lived that baptism to her ending days.  She knew she was sent here to love and make a difference and she sure did!

Entering Into His Courts

Writing about Peggy’s life proved to be a very positive experience for me.  As I am writing – I sense such peace and actually chose this beautiful picture from that infused feeling within.

Mother Mary may have been the one to come for Her daughter on February 11, 2026, however, it would be Jesus who was waiting with a huge bouquet of flowers for His girl “Peggy.”

When I returned home from the Funeral – there was a sadness knowing I would never get one of those phone calls! A phone call that Peggy would tell me – “the Holy Spirit told me to call you Anita!”

So I turned to Jesus…sat with Him and my beloved Gabrielle Bossis – author of the book, “He and I.”

This is what I opened to:

May 3, 1945 – “My beloved Jesus, I come to receive Your word and above all Your love.

Thursday, this day dearest to my heart of all the days of the week.”

I was struck by the fact that as I write this on the day of Peggy’s Funeral Mass – it is “Thursday”….again no coincidences in God’s appointment book!

Enter Into His Secret Shrine

Jesus would respond to Gabrielle’s words above with these:

“Enter into my courts.  Ask the help of My mother.  Go farther, still farther.  Leave material things behind. Go right into the most secret shrine.  There, where there is silence, the freedom of inner knowing, the flame that burns to burn more brightly.”

I believe in my heart that Peggy entered those courts.  She asked the help of our dear Blessed Mother.  She left behind material things and exchanged them for the silence, the freedom of inner knowing in that most Secret Shrine – The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.  This is how she was able to let go and let God.  Because Peggy was already there.  She arrived before she left the confines of this earth.

State of Grace

Let us go where Peggy went while she lived her faith on earth.  Ready or not?  Are we ready as Peggy was to be taken so swiftly in such a short amount of time.  One minute she was here – the next she was not.  There was no worrying about being in a “State of Grace” for Peggy.

A deacon once told me many years ago while working as a Parish Secretary in a Rectory – “Anita, you always have to have your bags packed!”

How right this deacon was back then and is right now!

Ash Wednesday was just yesterday and we have the days ahead to get it right as Peggy did.  Let us follow what Jesus counseled Gabrielle Bossis with – to enter into His Courts this Lenten Journey of 2026.

That preparation will further prepare us for our final “entering in”…..into the Heavenly Courts.  There we will meet not only our “Peggy” but all our loved ones who are waiting for our arrival.

 

©2026 Anita Guariglia

All Photo Credits/Pinterest/Instagram

May 3, 1945 – He and I – Gabrielle Bossis

July 2, 2024 / Robert Carlson  “What do the stars on a military uniform mean?”