Have a fantastic day! Wear a smile and be kind, as it is contagious!
I have had a few experiences, the first being as a young 4-year-old coming out of Lee’s Fish House on 58th Street off Trinity street in SW Philly, and a young JFK walking through the neighborhood, shaking hands, stopped with an entourage in front of me, looking down, messing my hair, and said, “Look at this little guy!” Footnote: Most Blessed Sacrament, aka MBS, was the most populated Catholic School in the country at the time. The grade school, K-8th, had 3700 plus kids in the early to mid-1960s
The second is a story that still gives me chills. It was Wednesday, October 3, 1979. My friend Mike was at the house, and my wife’s uncle Chal, and it was announced on television that Pope John Paul II’s plane was delayed on his trip to Philadelphia. My wife, knowing I wanted to go, said I will stay here with the kids if you three want to take a ride to get a glimpse of him.
We were listening on the radio and were on Island Ave. near the Industrial highway when it came across that his plane had just landed. Everyone pulled their cars over as they got closer to the Philadelphia Overseas Terminal gate. The majority were running about a half block down towards the Overseas Terminal gate. Having worked for Acme Markets in South Philly, I told my wife’s uncle, Chal, and my friend Mike Ferg that it was pretty hot, adding that the only shade was the three trees in front of the Water Treatment Plant on Enterprise Ave. It is also the first glimpse of the City Skyline as his Limo turns the corner heading onto I-95N. As I said this, a man with his 5-year-old son and his two-year-old daughter overheard me and said, “Do you think it’s a good spot?” I replied, ” It’s as good as any, adding it’s the only shade between here and most likely until he gets downtown.”
Just like something out of the movies, a short while later, as His limo pulled out of the terminal gate, the mass of people gathered followed alongside and ran a bit as the limo headed our way, a half block or so to where we were standing, and his car would make the turn towards the ramp for I-95N. The car turned and stopped right in front of us, where the Pope stood looking out the open-air moon roof, and gave our small group His blessing from about 6′ away. He got back in, and as the car sped towards its downtown destination and the mass at Logan Circle, we headed for home and one heck of a story, which, honestly, in telling, most don’t believe. Well, I guess it’s the same with faith in general. However, the irony for me in relating this story is the relevance of our small group standing under 3 trees. Today, as I typed this prompt, it immediately reminded me of Christ on the cross, looking down at the two sinners dying on three trees. Have a Blessed Day!
Point to Ponder: Click on the link below if interested in the DelCo Food Assistance site program during the government shutdown. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BXDhTkYty
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