My Husband's Superhero Power

Well, it took 37 years to figure it out, but we finally know what my husband's superhero power is. I don't know exactly what to call it, but yesterday, he took the full force of being hit by an armored truck while he was crossing the street (on foot) and he was able to walk away from it! Not unlike the way Thing from the Fantastic Four stood up to a semi-truck in the first movie. If you haven't seen it, catch it here at about 1:02 into the video.

What would you call that? Sturdiness? Solidity? Resilience? Brute Strength? Staying Power?

It sounds a little more dramatic than it was. Basically, he was walking to work from his parking garage. He waited for the "walk" signal and started across the street, and for some reason, an armored truck plowed into him. He staggered backwards but didn't lose his footing and was able to walk and talk right away. But we did take him into the ER to make sure he was okay.

He has a minor concussion and is resting at home. No broken bones. His glasses are a little messed up where the truck hit him, though.

Now he's hoping that because he was hit with a truck full of cash, he will acquire a second superhero power related to money. Financial wizardry or something.

I'm just grateful to God that he's okay, and crediting his guardian angel for keeping it from being a really awful accident.

--Sparki

Please pray for the L family who lost a baby today

Mrs. L was about halfway through this pregnancy with the couple's fourth child. He was a "surprise" baby -- they weren't expecting to get pregnant when they did, I mean. But he was dearly loved and much welcomed.

Please pray for all of them -- the parents are stricken. The older kids (ages 11, 8 and almost 5) will all have to be told, and of course Mrs. L's health is of great concern. They are a good Catholic family, though this could be a severe blow to the faith of each one of them. Pray, please, that the Lord will be close to them, and as this is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, please pray that the Holy Mother will uphold them in prayer.

--Sparki

What's in a name?

Yesterday, the kids asked me what "Noel" meant. I knew it was synonymous with Christmas, but I had some inkling that there was some literal translation that I'd forgotten, like "God is here" or "God is born" or something. (I was wrong, btw.)

Anyway, I was trying to work out what it might be, and I said, "Well, I think the 'el' means 'God' because it usually means 'God' in words like El-shaddai, which means 'God Almighty' or Elijah, which means 'YHWH is my God'...or Elisabeth, which means 'Consecrated to God,' but I don't remember what the 'no' part of Noel means."

Edyn perked up at that point, because Elisabeth is one of her given names.

"What does 'consecrated' mean?" she asked.

Another stumper. I tried to figure out a way to explain that to a five-year old while wondering why my kids are so doggone smart.

"Consecrated means that your whole life is about one thing. So if you are consecrated to God, it means your whole life is about showing people that God is real and good and showing God that you love Him and will serve him forever."

Edyn was mulling that over and didn't look too comfortable with the idea.

I cleared my throat. "Sounds like a lot of work, huh."

She scowled at me. "Well, yeah, for a little kid it is!"

Don't worry. I immediately launched into Saint Therese the Little Flower and her "Little Way." Edyn's good with her name again.

--Sparki