Inspirational Story of the Month - March, 2008

I retired from my job at the hospital after 27 years in October 2006. I returned to work in June, 2007 for what I thought would be a couple of months. Several months later, I was still there. I met Pat while riding in the elevator one day. For some strange reason, I blurted out "I should write a book about how not to retire." Pat, whom I had never met before turned to me and said, "I just wrote a book." She just happened to have a copy of her book, Simply a Woman of Faith in her bag. I knew I had to buy it and invited her to my office so I could purchase the book. As Pat says in her book, it was a GODincident because we both worked there for several years and had never met.

I read the book that night and loved it. I couldn't put it down even though I had homework for a course I was taking. It's hard to describe how much Pat's book touched my heart and uplifted me spiritually. I gave the book to my friends for Christmas and they loved it too. One of my friends bought several copies for her Christian book study group. Each week they read a chapter and tried to apply it to their lives.

They asked if Pat could come to the church and speak at a Sunday service. Pat said yes. We were delighted when she came and shared her Faith journey with us. It touched our hearts as she danced - giving praise to God for all he had done for her. God transformed Pat by His Love and she radiated Joy.

The book came at the perfect time and opened the door for me to talk to my niece about God and Faith, something we hadn't done before. Shannon was deployed to Kuiwait and had to leave her four month old baby and four year old with her husband. After she read Pat's book, she wanted to talk about faith and trusting God - no matter what the situation. Through reading the book, she felt God's love and care and it made it easier for her to leave, knowing God was with her and giving her all she needed.

~ Toni Pancieri

Inspirational Testimony - The Winter Butterfly - March, 2008

I'm a friend of Pat's, and I I read her newsletters whenever they arrive in my inbox. I was touched by the two stories she had in her last newsletter, about how a person knows their loved ones are all right and have found their way to heaven. Pat described assurance in the form of a butterfly, the frail but beautiful insect whose graceful flight lets you know your loved ones are in a better place.

Two weeks ago, I emailed Pat to let her know that my grandmother had suffered a stroke and the decision was made to let her die a natural death, per her wishes. Being February in Rhode Island, smack in the middle of a cold winter, I told Pat that it's going to be hard to see a butterfly at this time of year. She assured me that I would.

My grandmother past away a week and a half after contacting Pat. To compound matters, my beloved 14 year-old yellow lab, Junior, had to be put down the night we buried Nana. I was distraught beyond belief from the cruel one-two punch. It was1:00 AM when we returned from the emergency Vet clinic. I went into my son's room to make a call and leave a message for work. My son is 12 and his room is decorated like a jungle, with large paper leaves on the walls and paper Mache vines hanging from the ceiling. As I paced in his room, my head bumped into something, which I ignored. After making the phone call, I went to my bedroom for a restless night of sleep.

I woke up early the next morning to relay the sad news about Junior to my ex-wife. Being careful not to wake anyone else up, I went back into my son's room to make the phone call. As I entered the room, I noticed something on the floor. To my surprise, an orange butterfly lay harmlessly on the carpet. You see, the vines that hang from my son's room have butterfly twisties attached to them. Apparently, the night before, I must have walked into one of them, causing the butterfly to fall to the floor. I immediately thought of Pat. Here was my Winter Butterfly.

I truly believe that my grandmother was having trouble finding her way, and the Lord summoned Junior to help guide her. My dog had great instincts and I'm sure he led Nana to Heaven. Oh, and he's being fed very well right now, that I'm sure of! I felt I needed to share this story, to give people hope and to show that anything is possible with the Lord.

~ Mike Squatrito

Monthly Inspirational Message From Pat - Happy Easter - March, 2008
The Presence of Love Dissolves Fear

She wheeled the wheelchair with the small boy in it to the edge of the pool as his father gently helped him slide down into the pool. The boy looked to be about 7 or 8 years old. His little arms thrashed about as he tried desperately to grab onto his fathers neck. He wouldn't let go as sheer panic enveloped his body. It was clear that he had a disability.

I didn't want to stare, but I couldn't keep my eyes off of them. The father whispered in his son's ear words of encouragement. Although I couldn't hear what he was saying, I imagined words like "Relax son, I'm with you, there's nothing to fear, and you are safe in my arms."

I left the pool to enjoy the rest of my day - a massage, lunch on the patio, whirlpool, steam room. Being on vacation, I could just BE and let the world go by. I returned to the pool a few hours later to enjoy the sun and warm breeze. To my surprise, the boy and his dad were in the pool again. They were very close to me this time and I could hear what the father was saying to his son. The boy appeared more relaxed and seemed to be enjoying himself. There was determination on his face as he tried to grab the railing on the steps going into the pool. Such a small accomplishment made his face light up. His father stayed behind him as he slowly edged his way along the side of the pool. "Son, I'm going to hold you less and less because I want you to trust yourself."

The words touched my heart deeply. Has not God said those words to all of us at one time or another? When we think we are alone and feel abandoned by God, he is there with us, encouraging us to trust ourselves and Him. He sees our giftedness and talents. He calls us to be His instruments of Love to make a difference in this world. We are never alone, God is all there is and God and I are one.

God blessed me that I was able to witness this special love between a father and son. The boy eventually trusted his father and was set free to do things he didn't think he could do. How much more does God love us? He's patient and loving when we are afraid and don't trust ourselves. He never leaves us as he invites us into unknown and deeper waters.

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