Everything Is Going to Be All Right!

After a challenging and physically painful Lent, Ellen Mongan sought solitude and rest in the Lord.

What's a mother to do when a day like “Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” knocks on the door of her life? When this happens to you, remind yourself: "Everything is going to be all right."

Recently, I was given a taste of that kind of day—but it lasted all of Lent. I will never forget Lent of 2023. It began when I decided to empty the garbage cans for my hubby. Grabbing one small can in each arm, I carefully walked down the stairs. Missing the first step, I landed on my derriere while still hugging a trash can in each arm. My husband encouraged me with the words, “Don’t do that again.” Too overcome with pain, I passed the cans off to him without a question. “Fine by me,” I thought. Later that week, twice I missed the last two steps as I was coming down the stairs. I made myself a mental note: next time, turn the lights on! Pain entered my Lent!

Fast forward to the next week. My 96-year-old mom is living with us, and when she needs a shower, my husband moves a chair in our bathroom for her to sit on and another chair into the shower. I sensed my hubby was growling about the inconvenience. So, to prove a point, I decided to move the chairs for him. I carried the first chair with ease into the shower.

“What is the big deal?” I murmured. Going for the second chair with an “I’ll show him" attitude, I slipped on the wet tile floor. Let’s just say the chair landed better than I did. My head hit the floor full force and I bought myself a concussion with a headache.

The very next week I fell in the very same spot, but this time I was not carrying a chair. I had time to think, “Brace yourself so you don’t hit your head!” I made a graceful landing, hitting the tile full force with my right hand taking the full impact. No broken bones, I was assured by the doctor. I wanted to say, “Could have fooled me!” but I held my tongue and endured the pain. What did my hubby say? “You need to dry yourself after showering, and you won’t slip on a puddle of water.”

Not only was the pain level terrible but almost worse was the humiliation when I was unable to dress myself. My husband graciously combed my hair, dressed and bathed me, and helped me shave. It was service with a smile.

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Lent went on. I am an observant woman. I spied something large under a bed sheet on the floor in my husband’s office. Because of chronic back pain, I was not about to bend down and uncover it. So, I did what every curious wife would do: I kicked my foot forward to push the sheet aside. “Goal!” I could have shouted as I hit the metal object under it. After the swelling remained and the pain level increased, off to the doctor we trotted again. To my astonishment, it was not broken.

I put a picture of my foot and hand on Facebook, to gain a little sympathy and prayer. This time my husband did not comment. I guess he ran out of encouraging words. Not to worry: my daughter did. “Mom, why would you put a picture of your ugly feet on Facebook?”

Next, my mom got pneumonia and went to the hospital for a few days. If not for the care and quick thinking of my doctor husband, we might have lost her. She came home on oxygen. It was emotionally draining. After so many weeks of pain and suffering, I cried out in desperation that I needed rest. Even Jesus went away to a quiet place to rest, I pleaded. I was depleted.

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Click to tweet:
We need to sit a spell in the Son-shine of his love. #CatholicMom

I learned that sometimes in life we do not need a retreat or even people. We need to get away by ourselves to quiet our souls and listen to the ocean and hear God speak to us through the waves of His creation. We need to sit a spell in the Son-shine of his love.

How do I know? A long pause at the beach restored my soul. The place we stayed in greeted me with the message “Relax” and “Be Thankful.” I wanted to stay forever! I knew everything was going to be all right.

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