T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G
By: Angela Cirmo-Zimmer 2007

T-Thank you God for always being with me! Even though I cannot physically see you, your invisible presence fills my soul.
H-Holy Spirit-soul of my soul, I adore you! Father, Son and Holy Spirit within me are healing power!
A-Acclamation- My heart is filled with overwhelming praise and glory for your divine being.
N-Thank you for each New day and New hope that I can utilize all the blessings you have bestowed upon me.  I pray that I can be all you want me to be.
K-The knowledge of knowing who you and what you mean to me.
S-Savior and salvation of His awesome impact on past, present and future life everlasting; allowing me the privilege of sharing your divine love.
G-Gloria Patri!!! We glorify your name.  Your radiance emanates light where there is despair and darkness, hope where there is sorrow.
I-Intercession-When I veer off the course you have set for me, you steer me back to your path.
V-Virgin Blessed Mary.  Blessed Mother pray for us.
I-Invitation-The miracle of God’s gift to me.  He invites me to share his love and heavenly kingdom.
N-Thank you for each gentle nudge you give me to gain entry into my soul.
G-When I opened the gate of soul from within, you elevated me from being a novice in Christianity.  You gave to me the strength to grow spiritually.

DOES ANYONE LISTEN TO GOD?

By Angela Cirmo-Zimmer

I recently attended a retreat with a group of women from the New Haven Council of Catholic Woman.

The first question the priest conducting the retreat asked was "Does anyone listen to God?" I raised my hand in response to his question and told him I listened to God daily.  He then asked me to tell my friend's how I listened. 

I told them that I sit quietly at my kitchen table and peacefully gaze out the window at the trees.  I always have pen, paper and my dictionary at my side to jot down thoughts.  I am always in awe at God's presence everywhere and in every season.

He gives us the plush greenery that heralds the approach of spring and summer.  The awakening of new life as the earth sends forth the nurtured buds ready to embrace the grounds with their diversified shapes, colors and beauty or they lift their petals to the Heavens in grateful adoration.  God is busy in the fall with His palette as He paints the leaves with His breath-taking hues as He transforms the trees with mystical shades of color.  He blankets the bare branches in winter lovingly with the virgin snow and the promise of better days to come.

These thoughts gradually begin to materialize in my mind and I write them down.  When I finish writing and read what I have written I cannot believe I wrote what I did.

Father then excitedly explained that I listened to God and His inspired thoughts are what I am able to convey.  Father's explanation has given me an even more deeper awareness of God's loving presence in my life.

I falter many times, but I am so gratified for my faith which sustains me and is so vital in today's chaotic and unbelieving world.  When I do falter, His loving arms are always there to guide me when I listen.

THE TALL MAN WITH A SHAWL

By Angela Cirmo-Zimmer

I was examined by my eye specialist in the morning, he told me to report back to the hospital for a third operation on my right eye the next morning.  I have glaucoma and after two unsuccessful operations and a procedure to (place) the glaucoma valve back in because it had dislodged, I was not a happy citizen.

The tissues in the eye were badly scarred and had to be repaired first before the third operation to the reinforced tissues would successfully hold the valve.  Not only was I faced with more surgery, but I was facing the dilemma that if this surgery didn't succeed, what would the outcome be.

The morning I received this disturbing news was the day my friend and I do volunteer work at the Cancer Care Center of one of our hospitals.  Although I was apprehensive and concerned, I volunteered as per usual.  I wanted to be busy to help me from thinking about the next day.

After leaving the hospital we stopped at our local drug store to make purchases and have prescriptions filled.  People were entering and leaving when I noticed a strange looking man walking in.

He was about 6'5", had on an old cowboy hat, a shawl with a fringe draped around his shoulders, long black hair that hung down the middle of his back, tattered dungarees, boots that were badly in need of repairs and he walked with a cane.  He was so odd looking that I couldn't even categorized him as a homeless man because I felt something very different about him.  He left before we did and we continued with our shopping.

We had our carts filled with heavy items and my friend always waits for me.  However, for some strange reason, she left me, pushed her cart off the curb in front of the store and proceeded to her car.  I hesitated to follow her because I feared pushing my cart off the curb and falling.  Suddenly, the strange looking man from the store appeared and pulled my cart off the curb.  He handed me his cane and when I took it, I could feel the warmth of his hand radiating through my hand.

I was so shocked by his appearance so suddenly to help me that all I can say was "Thank you so much because I am having trouble with my eye."  He response to me was "I know"  He asked if I needed further assistance to the car and I assured him I thought I could make it.  I handed him back his cane and profusely thanked him again.

When all this transpired we didn't even look at each other and as I walked to the care my haunting question was "How could he know about my eye and needed help at that particular time?

When I reached my friend's care she excitedly informed ,me that she had witnessed it all, but what puzzled her was where did he come from and where did he go?  We tried to locate him but he was gone as mysteriously as he appeared, he disappeared.

Every time I relate this incident, I get chills, but somehow I can still feel the warmth of his cane that he offered me.

I have pondered the significance of all this, and in my heart I know that God sent me my guardian angel in the guise of this man as His messenger of comfort and hope.

I still don't know what the outcome of my eye will be, but this experience has helped me more strongly feel the presence of God ad my guardian angel in my daily acceptance of my problems as a journey through life.