For family and friends, for all my blessings most especially for being born, growing up and living in America, which has given me great opportunities. All people, everywhere, should have the opportunity for good education, decent housing, clean water, healthy food, a just wage and job and of course the chance to grow in faith, and to worship God in peace. Faith is a great blessing in my life, I can't imagine life without it. Catholic prayers, devotions and the sacraments have enriched my life and I am grateful for all the Catholics who have handed that faith and belief onto me. I'm also blessed to be a lay Carmelite.
I am grateful to live near New York City which provides great stimulation, creativity, good food, beautiful churches and opportunities to explore and attend great cultural events and museums.
Speaking of museums, one of my favorite places in NYC is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was there this past weekend with my family. We saw the magnificent exhibit, "Grand Design: Pieter Coecke van Aeist and Renaissance," which features 19 of the grand tapestries that Coecke designed. Its worth the trip just to see the tapestry-"God Accuses Adam and Eve after the Fall," an extraordinary work of art. Included in the exhibit is "The Story of St. Paul," "The Seven Deadly Sins," The Story of Joshua," and The Story of Abraham." As I write this I think I have to go back once more before January as I'm not sure when I would ever have the opportunity to see these exquisite tapestries again.
I wasn't allowed to photograph inside the exhibit, since the tapestries are not owned by the Met.
But I was able to take a photograph of my son (one of my blessings!) next to his favorite painting. When he was about 8 years old I asked him which was his favorite painting in the museum and it was the one below, which is a very famous painting of St. Joan of Arc by Jules Bastien-Lepage. It's a magnificent painting, no one seemed to mind when I took a picture of it. The artist captures the moment when St. Michael, St. Margaret and St. Catherine appear to Joan in her parents' garden, encouraging Joan to do what she must do. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
NJA
