I can't thank you enough for the enormous outpouring of prayers for my mother, not only here on the blog, but on friends' blogs, at the 4Real Message Board, and in our local homeschooling group. My mother is so very grateful for your prayers and said they are the most important thing to her right now. Her condition continues to be very serious, and she remains in intensive care with little to no movement on her left hand side. She is capable of conversation and easy to understand, although she has forgotten a great deal and struggles to remember, asking me to repeat the children's names, for example.
The reason I called this update "The Perfect Storm" is that I realized my mother's illness came at the exact time she would get the most possible prayers from faithful readers online. It just so happens that a condensed version of the story about Patrick on the cablecar appeared in Catholic Exchange's Touched by Grace column, causing quite a few people otherwise unfamiliar with this blog to click through. Lisa Hendey, founder of CatholicMom.com was kind enough to post a link to the Spoon Saints craft on CatholicMom's Halloween page, bringing many new visitors. Also, thanks to Lisa, Saints of the Season, the first installment of a new column on Living the Liturgical year appeared at CatholicMom.com.
This very unusual and temporary increase in traffic here was perfectly timed for more people to read the prayer requests and storm Heaven for my mother.
Deo gratias!
Still storming here. I am glad your mother seems to be doing well... I pray she will recover fully!
Posted by: Rachel | October 18, 2007 at 09:42 AM
The prayers keep going up! I've had many patients come in with no movement on one side, who fully recover weeks later. When they thank me, I say: "Don't thank me, it was all God!"
Posted by: Mary Beth P | October 18, 2007 at 09:56 AM
Alice, prayers continue for your dear mom and your beautiful family.
Posted by: Maria | October 18, 2007 at 10:06 AM
Alice:
I am joining my prayers with everyone else's. I know just how hard this must be for your mother and for you. God bless you.
Posted by: Martha Long | October 18, 2007 at 11:18 AM
I will continue praying for your mother and your family.
Posted by: Beck | October 18, 2007 at 11:47 AM
There is a candle burning for her daily along with our prayers Alcie, thank you so much for this update. Pleaseknow we are holding YOU in prayer as well dear friend. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Pray for Us!!
Posted by: Meredith | October 18, 2007 at 01:37 PM
Well, not sure how many of your friends call you "Alcie", please forgive my typo :o
Posted by: Meredith | October 18, 2007 at 01:49 PM
Continued prayers Alice, for your mother and your family.
Posted by: Kathy | October 18, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Still thinking of you and shooting off prayers here too, Alice. Thank you so much for the update.
Posted by: patience | October 18, 2007 at 03:53 PM
Continuing to pray Alice, day and night. (When your pregnant there are lots of trips to the powder room overnight and time for quick, little prayers!)
Posted by: aussieannie | October 18, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Dear Alice's mother, please hold on to all the prayers that are being sent up for you. The angles are all around you, watching over you, you are not alone.
Blessings Clarice
Posted by: clarice | October 18, 2007 at 05:18 PM
Dear Alice,
You have been on my heart and your dear Mother has been in my prayers! May our Lord place His Healing Hand upon your Mother and grant you all peace and comfort during this time.
Posted by: Kristina | October 18, 2007 at 11:15 PM
Dear Alice--I am offering the prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for your mother.
Posted by: Colleen | October 19, 2007 at 08:00 AM
Oh, Alice. I'm not kidding when I say I want to be more like you--oh, to be open to receive this kind of grace, be so blessed by it, and to know it for what it is!
I'm so sorry you are dealing with such sorrow, but I continue to be amazed and inspired by *how* you face it.
God continue to bless you and your mother, and your whole family. You all remain in our prayers.
Posted by: Eileen | October 19, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Will continue to pray for your mother's recovery! Stay strong :)
Blessings,
Sherry
Posted by: sherry | October 19, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Alice, I'm an occasional lurker here. I am praying for you and your mother. I lost my own mother only two weeks ago on the feast of St. Francis after too short a battle with lung cancer. I feel your pain and understand the comfort you're taking in the promises of Our Lord and Our Lady. Peace, Katie
Posted by: Katie | October 19, 2007 at 08:30 PM
Alice, I will continue to pray for all of you; for recovery, for peace, for closeness. Your title, Perfect Storm is absolutely spot on. Prayers your way dear.
Posted by: Lindsey @ ETJ | October 19, 2007 at 09:04 PM
Your sweet family, especially your dear mother, are still in my prayers.
Posted by: Lillian | October 19, 2007 at 10:45 PM
Continuing to pray for you, Alice.
Posted by: KC | October 20, 2007 at 11:45 PM
Just came from Mass. As a widow I am especially fond of today's gospel, the judge who just gives in to the widow's cries for justice. I am saying one of those prayers for your mother. I'll be back to read more on your blog.
Sunday Blessings
Posted by: alexsandra | October 21, 2007 at 08:37 PM
Offering an Ave whenever I think of you and your mother, dear Alice (which is very often!)
Posted by: Jane Ramsey | October 21, 2007 at 10:00 PM
Prayers from the Keys continue, Alice.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 22, 2007 at 06:23 PM
Alice,
Several weeks ago you wrote about your mother on another blog. "What a wonderful lady," I thought. And she crossed my minds several times throughout that week. Now I realize it was a "heavenly heads-up" to get me praying when the time came(if that makes sense). I've prayed at Mass & with the kids/dh. Will continue. . .
Posted by: Sarah | October 23, 2007 at 12:06 AM