It is a Filipino Catholic tradition to offer a memorial mass the 40th day after a family member’s passing.  A novena and mass were offered at my parent’s house tonight.  The service was perfect and Father Edmond’s homily was both fitting and comforting.

Father Edmond spoke of the peace we need to find in order to move beyond life’s challenges because there is more life to be lived.  He reminded us that it is our faith in God that will help us find peace and that whenever we’re troubled, we must trust Him to ease our pain.  His words spoke volumes to me as I had struggled so much this past week over losing Daddy.

I’m so grateful today for Father Edmond’s sermon and the celebration of Daddy’s life that followed.  We gorged on a Filipino feast and enjoyed the company of Daddy’s family and friends that loved him so much.  Daddy wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.