Male Friends

This weeks hub mob essay is to celebrate the men in our lives. This selection has broad verbal strokes. Just about anything about a male in your life appears to qualify. As I contemplated which lucky male in my life was going to measure up to my well expressed writing of him, I suddenly had a task to complete first. The particular outing I had wanted to do for quite some time and for some unknown reason, today was going to be the day. Off in my car I went and thought about who and what to write. I am not happy with many of the males in my life, so it is a short list. Nonetheless, I turned on my car radio for a distraction. It was not working, darn it. Apparently there is a short somewhere.

As I sat at the red light, pondering my subject and winner of my typing strokes, my radio suddenly went on. I thanked God and continued to my destination. The song playing was an oldie and it brought back fond memories of a past life, with a man. I could write about him, I said to myself. I was smiling and singing along as I parked my car. I had arrived. There were several cars in the parking lot and I didn't see anyone around. My fear of this place not being open was growing. Too many of these buildings are not open during the day anymore. There has been too much theft and vandalism in these establishments. It is so sad. Many have even closed forever due to lack of participation.

My destination was the National Shrine of Our Lady of Victory Basilica. It is without a doubt the most exquisite church I have ever entered. Its history is a very compelling story of its own. I am very fortunate to live so close to this shrine and be able to visit it any day of the week. I wanted to visit the final resting place of Msgr. Nelson H. Baker, V.G. I knew where it was as I had been there with my mom before. Mom loved this place, she felt so at peace here and contributed to its charity quite often.

So what does this sudden urge to visit a Basilica have to do with male friends? Well what I prayed and cried over was my youngest son. There are bad forces in our lives that are keeping us apart and my wonderful, loving and kind son is wedged in the middle. My son is a senior in high school and just turned 17. We have been together since his birth and I have raised him alone since he was 6 months old. I am extremely proud of him, his choice of friends, his common sense and his ability to persevere through adversity. As any single mom knows, we do the best we can possibly do. It is not easy but the rewards are endless. Every time he calls me just to say 'hi' I am very proud of him. The smile on my face looks as though I just won the mega million dollar lottery. I waver between feelings of loss mixed with elation. He is the sunshine in my life and God is my rock.

God has once again become the focal point in my life and it has been a very long time in arriving. God alone can and will look out for my son, protect him from all harm and will one day reunite us. We will be free to spend time together when and where we choose. The good Lord will take away my guilt feelings from becoming sick, and will take care of those who have done us wrong. In His infinite wisdom God will seek out their retribution when He is ready.

As I slowly walked out of the Basilica today, I felt lighter. I was not carrying this burden with me any longer. I felt peaceful within my heart and did not feel the fear and panic for my son that has been with me for the last 22 long months. I no longer felt like crying another sea of salty tears. I felt the presence of God's love in my heart and soul. I was calm and serene. I felt at home with the shining company of God in my life. I celebrate the loss of a heavy burden, my renewed faith in a power much more dominant than anyone or anything, and the abundant love I carry for my son. I love both of my male friends.