A VISIT TO REMEMBER

It was one of these  beautiful sunny mornings which Melbourne has the secret.  Everywhere
flowers were blossoming, birds were singing.   The little house was just in the corner  on my
right . It was smaller than the others and has been   constructed   so as to  meet the needs of the first italian emigrants.  It has a little  garden in front   and  behind  the house  so as to enable the occupier to grow some  fruits  and  vegetables .  The wooden door was hidden by numerous plants  growing near by.

                         The old chimney was still working  and smoke could be seen coming out.

The little gate was shaky and needed some repair. As I entered the yard, I felt a thrill. It seemed to me that I entered a world that needed to be discovered  and shared..  Wild herbs  have grown in between the pavements as well as  in  the  flower beds on each side.  Yet there were still  some beautiful flowers , witnesses of a better time , when a loving hand was taking care of them.

The whole garden was neglected.  However  the grass around  has been  cut not long ago. The orange tree was full of oranges , many fell on the ground  as there was nobody to pick them.  Children no longer ran in the yard  and  their  cries were no longer heard. The orange tree which was so necessary for maintaining the health of the family  during the cold winter  seemed useless then.

I knocked at the door,   and waited a bit,  as dragging feet slowly  came to let me in.   She was small, more than 90 years of age, all in black as  it is   usual  for  women  of this generation,  but  she was still strong for her age. Her face was large, not so wrinkled, with a strong chin. and tiny black eyes
like  sharp  pencils . Her hair silver grey and thick was  pulled back  behind , held with clips.
Her severe look  reminded me of my mother a teacher . Surely she was a woman of principles,
not to be meddled with..  But I liked her the more for this  and  carefully engaged in a candid and respectful  conversation. She did  not speak much  but she was  able to make herself understood.

 Our lady  gently introduced me into a small living room.  A big arm chair was in front of the TV,
 near the fire place.  It was there that  she spent most of the long hours of the day, as prolapsed
disks in her back made her suffer hell. Conversation  was a bit difficult, as her english had  such an accent.  Adapting herself  to another culture and language had not been easy for her. She  still remained  this girl who had left her village,  compelled by circumstances.

Because of my curious nature, I started to observe things around me. Every where, on the wall,
on shelves and top dressers, there were photos : photos of all her children from their birth,
their first holy communion,  their fifteenth birthday, their marriages and their children afterwards.
A cup of coffee in one hand, I was busy looking at them, and  I was not astonished, because
I did the same at home  on my little altar, as I want those I love to be protected and on the stairs as
I like to look at them and  remember  the happy days.  Sometime my husband would reproach me. Surely less photos  on the wall would  suit  my bedroom, but as a mother, I felt the need to have my children  near the heart of Jesus. So,  I think it is the same with my gentle lady.  Every  family   member was  special to her and she knew them all , though  I am sure , she did  not look at them frequently, she had all of  them   in mind when she did  her rosary  that  she kept at hand.

Except the main bedroom, around me every room was small , small living room, small dining room,
small kitchen, but it was warm with the presence  of the lady.  You wished to stay here and dream
about how it was when the children were there. A photo of  her handsome husband reminded me
of their love  story  and I was eager to know more.

Who is she ? ....  Where does she come from ?... From what part of Italy?...
Lipari , it  was the name of   a small island near Sicilia.

What memories !....

I could not prevent myself from questioning her more about her childhood.  She seemed to look
far away and told me about life at that time.  It was just at the beginning of the  first world war  .
Every body was poor  in Lipari as the economy was zero.  No tourists at that time.  The men were engaged  in war, so feeding the families was an affair of women. Transport  by sea  was
difficult and restricted as the danger of air attacks  and by sea  was   constant.

Consequently,  it was a dilemna .  Vegetables and fruits were insufficient.   As a child of twelve
years of age, she had the  responsibililty to cook for all the family.  She remembered plucking
young stem of wild herbs  outside and let them cook with potatoes. for a long time.  The latters
were not peeled, but brushed and allowed to  simmer all round the day  in a big cauldron,  to
thicken  the broth  and  keep  the vitamins.

As soon as  the alarms were triggered by  the  presence  of  an  enemy  near by, everybody fled
to the  caves and the mountains.   Electricity had not yet  reached the island.  The inhabitants
lived in fear of an attack.  Submarines were seen   from the shore.   By chance  Lipari was of  no interest to them.

When the war ended, and the men came back, there was no work for them , nothing .
They could not even afford  the necessary , so every body started to leave the island and migrate  to Europe, America and Australia.

She was now of age to be married, and when her future husband asked her to migrate to Melbourne, Australia, she did not hesitate one second.  She was ready for the big adventure, and  felt that she could face  any hardship.

Together with the first wave of immgration, she landed at Melbourne.  The english language was totally unknown to her, and she had to learn quickly.   Here also there was no electricity  . But she was a strong willed woman.

The sewing machine did not exist.  So she   hand sewed  the shirts, the trousers, costumes ,
dresses of her five children  with the light of a  petrol lamp. She was proud of it.

The Australians were  used to english food which was  very simple and  monotonous ,
and she had to show imagination to improve the daily menus .  It was at this time that she started
her  famous rice dumplings stuffed with mozarella .

Believe me, there is none like her to make them,  and even to day at each  event,  anniversary,
every body asks for her dumplings and they disappear very quickly from the plate. She also
has the secret of delicious  ginger , almond biscuits , but most important  she knows  how to make
simple and good  cooking.  Her daughter  has well  benefited from her  know how  and now she shows great cooking  skill in her every day life.

Oh ! The flavour of the Italian  plates. !...   The migrants   started to have their aromatic herbs,
their vegetable available on the market, such as basilic, oregano,  their coffee.,  their cheese :  mozarella, parmesan, their tomato paste, their pastas , their lasagns.  Others  made and  smoked  their hams, salamis, and mortadellas.  This changed the culinary  tradition of Australia for the best.

The Church  with its rituals was very important to the migrants , specially  the Italians  . I have
never seen so many churches any where else. Each village has its church according  to the creed of  its  inhabitants, its school, its community centre, retreat house for the seniors, its park , its shopping centre., every thing well admistered. and clean.

Her generation  was a faithful one, and  serving God has a meaning  for its folk. On Sundays,  the church is always full . Usually, after the ceremony, they  all join  together   for  a cup of  coffee and some  cakes .  So, they can have a chat and share.

The christian community is very  lively and busy  in organising events, helping  the poor of the
parish, the needy,  organising leisures  for young and old and  offering pilgrimages inside and  outside the country.

The memory of  the mother country is still strong , and  internet technology  has removed all barriers and distance.  So this world is now a big village, and no one is so  far to be reached. They  all can have access to the family they had left. But  now the older  generation is leaving us.

And I felt priviledged   to  have been able  to have a glimpse   of such moments. .

I the curious,   noticed  that everything was at its place and the little kitchen  was very clean and
well organised, to the honour  of her  old age.

Encouraged,   our Nona  led me to her little garden behind and discovered to me her treasures :
her brocolis, tomatoes, herbs, green peas and so on  and I was gratified with a full basket of vegetables, for which I was very grateful.

 On my left , a prune tree  was full of  ripe fruits .  Following my hungry gaze,she proudly
plucked one and gave it to me. It was the best prune , so sweet, juicy and delicious,
I realised that I had discovered some secret.

What  a  character !..., Her look was piercing. She missed nothing in a conversation.   I could not but laugh, remembering her face, her  chin,  her pinched lips, her searing eyes, how she refrained herself  in the presence of a lady babbling  things.  She  had to be polite in front of us, but felt ashamed
not to be able to  express herself clearly in english . The situation was really incongruous.

Now, I had to leave her  .  I thanked her for her kindness and with regret  bid her farewell.

It never occurred to me to write this article.  I do not possess enough information, and  our
Nona is so far away. I am not sure to be able to  meet her again.  

There was a moment of hesitation on my part, but on thought, I told myself that visit had to be
remembered, in memory of and to honour the courage of all the men and women who accept the hardship of being expatriated and strived to make their lives a success.


==================================

NONO AND NONA

22 September 2017





Boys, N.. M. and Z.

At this time, you are still children  .   Papa and Mamma' presence  , your   soccer,  your  games ,
your days at  school ,   this is your  daily life.  You have no time to think about anything  else. It seems so natural to you  to have a Nono and Nona  to care for you and  bestow you  all the love you need. You are now enjoying a beautiful childhood and are unable to think that one day they will disappear , because  this is  the way of life itself and  it has a hidden meaning that you cannot understand now. The ties of love in your heart  have to grow  strong, without any obstacle,
so that one day  you  remember  and  are able to give love also .
This is the law of unconditional
love which makes this world a better world.

So many  youngsters, do not have these blessings.  You are privileged , reminder  this.

WHO IS YOUR NONA ?......

The years have left  no  wrinkles on her face because   she has  such a beautiful heart and mind.
Her beauty is natural , unaltered ,  it reflects what she is indeed.

Nona  has a fine chiseled face, heart shape, high cheek bones, a little nose, a thin mouth, long slanting grey  eyes  which she always keep  low as if she is following some inner thought or
some action she has to do. Her hair  is pale  blonde , thick  for her age ,  and  she  has it always
short  , of the same style.  Elegant and prude , humble but proud,  that is how I define her.

Very young,  at 18 years old, she stole the heart of  Nono, a handsome Sicilian, migrant himself.
A  photography of her on her wedding day  is hanging on the wall of   the living room..She was then  stunningly beautiful . I can understand why Nono refused to go back to his island with his family . Till now, you can see the love of Nono whenever  he looks at her.


              At this,   Nona just lowers her eyes as if nothing matters. She  then  had no words to
express herself.

Australia had just opened its borders to migrants . Both  were poor .  It was  too late  for them to attend any high school, so they could not afford any white collar job.   They had to acccept
whatever was offered to them.   Nono  obtained work  in  the market.  It was very hard for him, as every day, he rose at four o'clock  and  had to be there. But  for the love of his family, he did it.

What about Nona ?...  The salary of Nono was insufficient. With  other women in the same
situation , they joined together and start to sew drapers for babies in a garage. They did it for a few years, but  soon   pampers  came into  the market and they had to look for alternatives.

Now, with their savings,  Nono and Nona opened a  vegetable shop. They worked very hard,  and were  successful . They  could afford  to buy  their little  house , and were at ease for some time.

Around them, others did the same.  The Italian migrants started to do their  cheese, ham, sausages
and sell them . Every where,  little shops  opened  :   the butcher' shop,  the baker's shop,  the fish shop,  the grocery, the cake shop, the barber's shop..  As economy flourished, so fashion found its way. The seamstresses had lot of work and  import their magazines from Italy, Paris .

The road was busy  with all these people around, and  those were happy days when every body had an easier life., and started to relax.   Alas  !.. , it was too good to last, the big Sharks, found there an opportunity  to increase their riches, and wanted their shares of the boom.  They  opened everywhere big supermarkets.

This was a blow to the street  and the shop of Nono and Nona was next to one. They  had to close their shop and   to start over again.. Nona was pregnant of her third  child, time was pressing.

Nona  was a good cook.   She knows how to make  delicious pastries, cakes, stuffed  rolls .  So
they tried a snack bar.  Children after school, workmen  would come . She was very busy attending
to every body. Their situation improved,  but she was too tired.  She could no more.  Early in the morning, she had to wake up,  prepare  every thing, and  remain standing   for long hours.

During the day, her son and daughter stayed in a room downstairs. So  she had to do the stairs
every half hour  to see if they were ok.   It was very demanding.   Now  her legs were swollen.
As her time   to give birth approached, because of a larger family,  Nono and Nona had to take a difficult decision , they had to close the snack bar.

Luckily a parent of Nono who possessed a factory, offered him a job.  He  worked there up to his pension time. Nona  remained home to take care  of her children . Later, when those  were responsible enough,,  she went back to work in a vegetable shop  and had a trustworthy position.
There  she stayed until she was of age to be pensioned off.

Family is sacred for Nona, and up to now she is always  ready to give a helpful hand, whenever
asked for.  She would come to take the toddlers to the kindergarten and back. Every Friday,  Nona
would  prepare  schnilzels for  all the  family , she would go and  leave them at their place together with whatever  good  stuff she had in store. Her soups  and pastas are delicious with the meat balls which she herself  made , and there is always a big plate in the fridge at your place.  Her little children are never forgotten.

 She would suddenly appear with a cake, some pastry,  chocolates., all for your joy.   Though their meagre income ,  fruits are always available  on the table.  Nona knows how to choose them fresh.  You ,  boys  enjoyed.

Nono  himself knows  where to buy the best  meat, the best local wine and the latter is never missing on the table. Your grand parents   are warm people who
welcome   visitors   and make  them  feel at ease.   Nona  has always  some cheese  at her place, biscuits   for the hungry ones.

The time of coffee is sacred, and  Nona knows  the secret from her mother how to make  the
perfect one. The good  smell used to  pervade   the whole house and its environment.  I
myself could never refuse a second cup.

You boys, you know well, that there was never a day, you would not see your Nona.,
You were very demanding and spoiled , but   Nona  knew how to deal with you.
Dinner was ready , you had your juice and your little stomachs  could not complain.

 Remenber the days of " Thomas the Train.". For several years , Nono and Nona , had the custody
of the three  of you  after school and  they had their full ,  hearing   continuously   all the episodes
of the little train  and its songs. Yet they showed great patience, it was the price to pay for their
peace of mind.

 Poor Nono  had  to  let go his  beloved armchair to Noah, the little prince,  as well as his  best Italian chain on TV..   He had to  take refuge in the garage where he would  while away  time and give himself to his hobby : carpentry.   There he made benches,  small tables and other  little things for you.

Nono is not the talkative type, never intrusive, but is always ready to help. You can always count upon him .  There is none like him to take care of the little garden behind the house.  There he grows
green peas , brocholis,  tomatoes and  kitchen herbs. He knows  when to cut roses and how to treat
them.  Early in the morning, my daughter would see him  occupied in her garden,  removing  wild herbs, and taking  care of the plants, he himself had grown.

Nono and Nona were kind enough to give all of you  a place in their  home, while  alterations were being made to  your  house. This took much more time than expected. It was not easy for
them to give  up their room and bed for such a long time.  Sometime  two of you  would want  to sleep with your grandmother,   Nono would  then allow you to take his place near his beloved wife and he went to sleep in the godown.  He let you enjoy your grandmother 's presence.

Now, Nono and Nona have to sell heir house and they bought a smaller one so as to enjoy a
better income for  their old days. This last day at their place must have been very  hard for them,
to leave their home full of good memories .  But your papa and mama  were very touched ,
when you,  N.  and  M. took your bedcamp and  went to sleep at their place,  in their  bedroom
for the last time.  Surely,  you chatted a lot  before sleeping , so they did not have time to  be too
sad.

They  had resolved  to start anew their life in this  new place.   So they  had  new  furniture
around them and gave away what was not needed . They were  like  a  young couple.. We wish
them a happy retreat, as they  deserve it.

Before ending,  I wish to say something about the italian balls which  are  held regularly.
The old migrants have their club where they would regularly meet, and have society games.
Nono and Nona make it a must to attend to the balls , so as to meet their old friends. I once had
the priviledge of attending  one  and was very happy to be so welcomed.

 I like the tunes played by the  italian band .   They were romantic songs, waltz,  tangos ,  beautiful music that reminded them  of their  former youths.  Two  seniors  animated  the night with their violin.  It was a pleasure to watch all the ladies in their  elegant dresses and the men in their costumes gliding gravely on the floor.

I imagined what it cost them to be  in a new country,  to speak a new language,  to meet another culture, and adapt themselves. But they managed it and this ball  gathered every one of them, and
for a few hours they were allowed to live a dream , to remind  themselves of  their roots, and of  the members of their  family they  left  behind.  They  were able to share news about  them,  to speak about their villages,  and  new events  happening . It was  like a big family  gathering.

I was so happy to share these moments with them, but also was sad about the new generation who enjoys every thing their parents allow  them but are  unable to appreciate and share these pleasures
in their company.  These are precious moments, because they are the  last moments , last breaths
of a generation who sustained much hardship  to give them a better life. They ought  to give
them more time, to show compassion,  to listen to what they have to tell  , because they  have so much to share with  you , this   before it is too late.

A book was being closed, and  a new one  has been  opened.

You, boys will be able to think about every thing good you lived with Nono and Nona.
They are golden threads of your life and they show you the way. .  Nona always attends  her
Sunday mass.  She loves her Jesus dearly. Both your grandparents have been faithful to their
values.  They are examples for you.  Never forget them and pray for them.

Little grandmother
ARLETTE

-----------------------------

Dear BOYS

I never intended to write something about your Nono and Nona, but it came to me suddenly
that I could try.  I  regret not to be able to have  more stuff for my text because I am so far
and do not know if I shall be able to see them again. But, you one day, can add whatever you
have in your heart. make it more beautiful..

I myself  am just a passer by who want you to remember important things of your  little life.
I am so far from you. Although I spent the first six months caring for you,  I could not catch
up or were unable  to make myself more known and loved. I am  surely still a stranger to you.

I just hoped that later in life , you would wish to know more about   your family,
and will  take pleasure  in  reading  my writings.

Then  you will ask yourself one day  :  WHO WERE YOU, GRANDMOTHER ?....


ARLETTE.

=======================================

MARIE , MARCHE AVEC LUI

Marche avec  lui, Marie,
car tu es sa maman du ciel,
Jesus te l'a confie,
Il est son fils bienaime.

Marche avec lui, Marie,
car il est cet oiseau blesse,
grandi sans l'amour d'un pere,
qui l'aurait guide.

Comme tout enfant,
Il avait desire ses bras
pour s'y blottir, s'y refugier,
pour oser ses premiers pas.

Il l'aurait tant aime,
respecte ce pere,
Tant de choses,
ils auraient partage.
Avec lui il  aurait  appris.

Ce pere  aurait ete  si fier de lui,
Il serait son  meilleur ami.

Mais ce cri du coeur " PAPA',
Il  a appris a le taire,
Ce pere  demeurait 'L'ETRANGER'.



Marche avec lui, Marie,
En lui ll y a  ce  vide, un  espace,
que rien ici bas ne pourrait combler.

Seul, il a cherche ses reponses,
mais n'a pu les trouver.
Pourtant, chaque matin,
Fidele au Maitre,
il repondait a son appel,
Mais sa verite,
il ne la trouva pas.

Toujours cette nuit l'enveloppait.
Dans son coeur couvait
la rebellion, l'incomprehension.
Un  grand chagrin le rongeait.
Ou etait son appartenance ?.....

Humilie, blesse, mais fier,
il a grandi,
puisant au plus profond,
la force, le courage ,
de devenir un homme ,
d'affronter ce monde cloisonne,
plein de prejuges et d'hypocrisie.

Les injustices l'ont degoute,
les echecs l'ont marque,
Avec dignite, il se relevait,
plus fort, plus determine.

Ce monde en mouvance le passionne
avec tout ce qu'il offre !...

Mais en lui, que de regrets,
Il aurait voulu  accomplir
plein de  choses,
pouvoir apprendre plus,
reussir plus .

Son pere lui manquait,
pour cheminer avec,
qui  l'aurait introduit en ce monde,
Il serait son protecteur.

Mais ce pere
comme tant d' autres  peres helas,
l'ignora toujours.
Cette blessure, il la porte toujours.

Aujourdhui, age, comble,
mais trouble,
il cherche encore sa verite.

Mais son etre interieur  est touche,
Le vrai visage de ton  Jesus,
amour et compassion,
pour tous les hommes,
Qui l'aime plus que tout,
qui le  desire uni   avec ses freres,
prier ensemble,
Cela, il ne le veut point.

Cette religion,
qui lui semble faite de mains d'homme,
Il la deteste....
C'est une EGLISE trop imparfaite.


L'  EGLISE


Marie,  l'histoire de notre Eglise ,
est si belle, mais si triste.
Elle a ete ecrite
avec l'amour de tes  fideles enfants,
leurs larmes et leurs sacrifices.
Ils sont des millions
a vivre l'amour de Jesus dans leur vie.
Mais cela est passe sous silence.
C'est le silence des agneaux.

Car ce monde ne retient que les Judas,
qui ont souille, defigure
le visage de  L ' EGLISE,
qu'il pointe du doigt toutjours.
Ces etres immondes  ,
Ces faux chretiens,
par leur orgueil , leur hypocrisie,
leur soif de richesses et leur luxure,
ont eloigne  tant de fideles,
pas suffisemment eclaires dans leur foi.
.

NON   !...
CE N'EST PAS  CELA '   L'EGLISE  ', !...

Notre EGLISE   est si belle,
avec toutes les bonnes oeuvres,
qu'elle accomplit aupres des  pauvres,
des jeunes, des enfants,
 des vieux, des rejetes,
des filles meres, des malades.

Il y a tant d'etres de bonne volonte,
qui se devouent corps et ames.
Ce sont des humbles serviteurs,
qui ne cherchent pas a etre connus.

OUI,   L'EGLISE EST EN  MARCHE,

ET JESUS  L'ACCOMPAGNE.

Avec  Jesus, nous vivons deja l'eternite.,
accompagnes  de Marie, des anges,
des saints,  de tous ceux qui nous ont precedes.,
qui prient pour nous, avec nous..

Nous avons deja  la vie eternelle en nous,
La lumiere de notre Dieu  reside en nous.
Les sacrements de vie  nous y aident
a la garder.

Oui,  Jesus  est  avec tous ses enfants.
Il  intercede pour  eux   aupres du Pere ,
surtout pendant le sacrifice de la messe,
ou il renouvelle l'offrande de sa Personne.,
dans l'EUCHARISTIE..

L'EUCHARISTIE
C'EST DIEU QUI NOUS DIVINISE,
DE SA PRESENCE EN NOS COEURS.

La Parole  de Jesus est la Parole du Pere,
Parole de Vie,
car Elle donne vie a nos ames,
et nous en avons besoin chaque jour,
pour  vivre  la loi divine,
pour nous guider..

Jesus veut etre avec nous
a chaque instant de notre vie,
partager notre quotidien,
etre notre AMI,  notre CONFIDENT,
pour nous proteger,
nous delivrer de nos chaines,
et nous mener a la Maison du Pere.

FAUT IL QUE NOUS LE LUI DEMANDONS !...

Faut il que nous le desirons  !.....
Faut  il il que nous le lui demandons  !....
Faut il que nous ayons la foi des petits enfants !....

JESUS LUI MEME L'A DIT :
"DEMANDEZ ET VOUS RECEVREZ,
 CHERCHEZ ET VOUS TROUVEREZ,
FRAPPEZ ET L'ON VOUS OUVRIRA.
TOUT CE QUE VOUS DEMANDEREZ AU PERE EN MON NOM
VOUS L'AUREZ"

Il nous faut demander
les graces necessaires a nos ames,
les demander avec insistance..
Soyons surs, Jesus nous les donnera.

Helas,  sensible aux vains discours
de fils rebelles qui se sont perdus,
qui ne pensent qu'a  critiquer plus,
vouloir prouver plus,
mais demeurent  incapables
d'aller a la vraie lumiere.,
Il s'est arrete.

LA FOI ET LA PRIERE

Marie,
 LA FOI N'EST ELLE PAS UN DON DE DIEU ?....
Ne faut il pas la cultiver,
telle une semence,
en prendre soin chaque jour,
pour qu'elle puisse grandir
et donner du fruit . ?....

Quand on ne prie plus,
On ne s'instruit plus de ses verites,
On lui refuse le temps, l'espace,
On crie "Haro !'  sur tout qui la concerne.
Alors la flamme de notre bapteme s'eteint.

Marie, Maman,
Aujourdhui, je te confie cette ame,
qui a tant coute a Jesus .
Il a  besoin  d'une rencontre personnelle
avec Jesus, ton Fils
comme moi je l'ai eu,
Je sais que cela peut tout changer.

Toi seule, Mere au Grand Pouvoir,
peux le faire.
Souviens toi de sa jeunesse,
de  son amour pour toi,
Ne l'abandonne pas  au desert.

Marche avec lui, Marie,
Parle lui de ton Jesus,
avec les accents d'une Mere,
pour que son etre profond soit touche,
qu'il s ' ouvre a la vraie priere,
celle qui vient du coeur.
Qu'il ne doute plus,
Qu'il se sente entoure de la tendresse,
de l' amour de ton Fils..

Implore  l'ESPRIT SAINT  ,
qu'Il repande sur lui sa rosee,
Que jaillisse l'homme nouveau ,
fidele serviteur du Tres Haut,
qui celebre et glorifie son Dieu.

Etends sur lui ton grand  manteau ,
Qu'il ne voit plus ce monde,
qu'au travers de ton voile protecteur,
que le passe ne soit plus blessure,
qu'ils puisse oublier, pardonner.
Qu'enfin la verite fasse jour en son ame.

Mets sa main dans la main de ton Jesus,
Aide le a  se laisser regarder par Lui,
a l'ecouter dans le silence de son coeur,
a lui faire confiance ,.
Qu'il  puisse retrouver la foi de son enfance,
et ensemble avec sa famille ,
avec un seul coeur
vivre  cette  unite tant voulue  avec son Dieu.

QUE JESUS FASSE POUR LUI RESPLENDIR SON VISAGE !
QUE JESUS NOUS BENISSE TOUS ET NOUS GARDE A JAMAIS DANS SON AMOUR !

MERCI JESUS,                                                                                                      MERCI MARIE.
ARLETTE


============================

POUR TES 50 ANS

23 Aout  2017
POUR TES 50 ANS



ROMANE
Ma chere grande fille

Romane ----   c'est le nom que j'ai choisi pour toi.  Je l'ai choisi avec amour. je le voulais beau, unique, pour une fille exceptionnelle.

Pour cette fille, j'ai demande au Seigneur une grace toute speciale:
" Qu'elle sache repandre le bonheur autour d'elle. "

 J'en suis certaine - Dieu m'a exaucee .

Romane, tu possedes cette ame legere et joyeuse, a laquelle tristesse et decouragement ne peuvent  resister.  Car en vraie battante, tu traverses la vie avec ton  petit sourire et  toujours tu t'en sors victorieuse.  Tous ceux qui te connaissent, ne peuvent que t'aimer. Car tu as aussi recu ce don
merveilleux   :" La capacite  de te faire aimer  de tous ".

Petite, ton babillage, ton rire en cascade, ton petit coeur affectueux eurent vite raison du vieux Pade ,
ton bisaieul, qui se trouva comble et heureux  dans sa vieillesse.   Tu illuminas  ce qui lui restait de vie.  Je n'oublierai jamais, comment tu refusas de partir en voyage avec nous , afin ne pas lui causer de chagrin. Et pourtant, Pade ne t'avait rien demande.

Chaque jour, a la sortie de  l'ecole , j'aimais ecouter ta petite voix claire  me raconter ta journee
Tout ton repertoire de comptines y passait.  C'etait merveille de te voir virevolter, les yeux brillants,
et battre des mains.

Oui, j'ai ete la compagne heureuse et privilegiee de tes jeux d'enfants, de tes jeunes annees,
et plus tard le temoin de tout ce que tu as essaye de faire de bien, de beau pour tes eleves.
Merci, Romane, d'avoir  partage  avec moi, ces choses cheres a ton coeur . Elles ont
embelli ma vie de mere..

Romane, tu  es  un important element de bonheur et d'harmonie pour toute ta famille.  Grace a ton amour pour la musique,  notre maison a Bassin,  resonnait  toujours  de beaux chants   et  cela faisait notre joie a tous.

La complicite qui existe entre ton papi et toi me rend des fois jalouse, mais je ne peux que m'emerveiller sur votre tolerance   mutuelle  dans les  debats ou vos opinions sont
diametralement opposees.

Suggerons nous  a Romane  un projet educatif ,  une celebration,  une retraite,   un concert , qui
necessite son talent  d'artiste  ?...

 Aussitot, Romane se met en branlebas de combat.... L 'atmosphere  de la maison change d'un seul coup.  Tous   se trouvent en attente   de l'evenement a venir !..  Sur la table  un vrai desordre  !...
posters,  tissus, peintures, et autres  ..... Tout est eparpille.   Mala, en bonne avertie , n'a garde d'y
toucher.  Mike  sait ce qui en est . Lui  , " l' Ordonne  " ,  depuis longtemps a baisse les armes.
Il  s' y est habitue ,  car le resultat  en vaut la peine.

 Romane a des idees plein  la tete, qui grouillent,  et elle s'y donne entierement, en vraie
passionnee,  car   elle desire le parfait.  Toute la maisonnee  y participe , qu'elle y veuille ou non,
et obligation,  Mike philosophe et tempere ,   tout  le temps  qu'il   faut pour  retrouver sa   dulcinee d'avant.

Ainsi chaque annee,  Romane,  tes eleves ont pu avoir de beaux cantiques, et  une belle
decoration  a  l'eglise .

Toute celebration dans la belle eglise de St Pierre est un vrai regal de sons et de couleurs,
qui fait vibrer  les centaines  de coeurs presents, quand les  voix  pures et crystallines s'elevent
vers la voute pour  chanter  la gloire de notre Dieu.

Un mot : "HAKA" ,  me vient a l'esprit   :  LA GRANDE SOEUR ,  elle a une grande signification pour l'hindou ----   C'est celle a qui , tous doivent le respect et la consideration, et que l'on consulte pour  tout  evenement  important de la famille.

Vraiment, tu es  notre "HAKA"   a nous,  une reference pour ton frere et tes deux soeurs, pour qui
ton avis et  ton conseil sont toujours  precieux,   car tu inspires la confiance, et tu es notre fierte a tous.

Pour ton epoux et tes trois fils , tu demeures l' exemple , le pilier du foyer sur lequel, ils peuvent toujours compter.

Au lycee, tu apportes  des idees innovatrices  .......
Visites aux vieux, aux enfants abandonnes,    invitation aux intervenants ,  retraites pour chretiens et non chretiens .   Aussi  tes cours de valeur morale les passionnent  tous, surtout  les artistes en herbe qui peuvent donner libre cours a  leur imagination, pour faire de beaux posters.

Tous les dons et talents que Dieu t'a donnes,  tu sais les mettre  au service de tes  eleves que tu  marques de ton empreinte.

Des generations se souviendront de toi et de tes enseignements.

Un jour, Romane, tu seras heureuse d'etre reconnue comme   "  servante de Dieu ".
Ton  Jesus , Lui, te reconnaitra comme sien,  car tu as temoigne de son Evangile dans ta vie
aupres de ces petits qu'il aime tant , et  servi avec fidelite.
Surtout,  tu leur as appris combien il est important de L'aimer et de L'ecouter.

Je te souhaite tout le bonheur et le meilleur avec ta petite famille, tes eleves et une bonne
continuation de carriere, au lycee.

Merci, Romane, d'etre ce que tu es.
Surtout ne change pas.
Dans ce monde ou les valeurs se perdent,
Romane, nous avons besoin des etres de lumiere comme toi.

Je te serre tres fort sur mon coeur, et  ensemble avec  tous,
Je te dis " JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE , MA CHERIE  ".
Je t'aime tres fort.
TA VIEILLE MAMIE
ARLETTE.

=======================================

ECOUTER ! ... ECOUTER !....

ECOUTER !...  ECOUTER  !...

Mes enfants ne savent plus ecouter.
Ils n'ont pas le temps.
Les choses du ciel  ne les interessent plus.
Parler d'un Dieu qui les aime,
Les laisse indifferent.

Mais toi, prends ton temps,
Ecoute moi !,
car Je suis un Dieu de paix.
Ecoute moi ! Ecoute ton Dieu te parler !
Ouvre grand ton coeur .
Ne te presse pas,
Laisse  d'abord ma paix t'envahir.

ECOUTE !...ECOUTE ! ...
Le Pere ne vous a t ' il pas demande a m'ecouter ?...
C'est si important de m'ecouter,
car je ne desire que votre bonheur.

Mais d'abord, chaque matin,
Rends grace a ton Dieu.
ton Papa du Ciel,
de t'avoir donne la vie,
de t'avoir donne un pere et une mere pour t'aimer,
pour prendre soin de toi,
te combler de bienfaits.

Fais le silence en toi
Ferme les yeux un instant,
avant de prier.
Fais taire tous les bruits autour de toi.
Respire lentement.
Dis toi que Je suis la, moi Jesus,

que ton Dieu, ton Ami est la,
qu'Il t'ecoute..

As tu un gros chagrin ?...
Dis moi ce chagrin qui te ronge., le coeur,
qui t'empeche d'etre heureux.
Dis moi ce souci qui t'ote
la paix du coeur.
Puis parle moi, parle moi comme a un ami,
de ceux que tu aimes,
de ceux dont tu desires le bonheur.

Oui, j'ecoute mes enfants.
Je suis attentif a leurs besoins
et Je desire qu'ils se confient
a ma bienveillance, a ma misericorde.
Qu'ils me demandent ce dont ils ont besoin
dans leur vie.

Oui, demandez moi ! demandez moi !
Je desire tout vous donner.
Ne doutez pas.

Mon enfant,
Ne me laisse pas dans ton coeur
comme dans un desert.
N'oublie pas le petit enfant,
qui ne s'eloigne jamais de son pere
(car c'est aupres de lui
que se trouve la vraie securite )

De temps a autre, il appelle :  " Papa ! Tu es la  ! "
pour s'assurer qu'il n'est pas loin.
Lui  il repond  :
" Je suis la mon enfant  et je t'aime. "
Alors rassure, il retourne apaise a ses petites affaires.

Toi aussi, fais de meme,
au milieu des difficultes de la vie,
des epreuves que Dieu permet.
Aie confiance en Lui.
Abandonne toi a Lui.
Sois  dans la joie,
la joie des enfants de Dieu
qui sont certains d'etre aimes.

Accomplis toute chose dans la joie.
N'oublie pas que le temps
que Je t'octroie
est un temps precieux,
qu'il faut bien l' employer.
Ne passe pas a cote de la grace
que Dieu te donne.

Vis l'aujourd'hui,
Accomplis toutes tes actions
sous le regard de Dieu,
avec sa benediction.

Laisse toi regarder,
ne lui cache point ton visage.
Que rien en toi ne Le blesse,
ne Le rebute.
Mais que tout en toi soit lumiere,
pour Le glorifier.

Mon enfant bien aime,
cette vie n'est que passage,
mais parfume la avec de bonnes pensees,
de bons desirs, de bonnes actions.
N'oublie pas la petite Therese,
qui faisait toute chose,
meme la plus insignifiante
par amour pour son Dieu.

Fais de meme
et la paix de Dieu reposera en toi.

================

MERCI POUR CE PAIN DU CIEL

Seigneur Jesus
Merci pour ce grand cadeau de mon Dieu,
Merci de venir habiter mon coeur,
de m'aimer ainsi avec mes defauts et mes mes faiblesses.
Merci pour cette grace merveilleuse ,
de vouloir t'unir a moi,
afin de me proteger,
de prendre soin de moi,
de m'aider a acquerir cette saintete,
que le Pere desire pour moi.

Tu es mon Dieu,  mon Roi,
Le Soleil de ma vie,
l' Esperance de mes jours sur terre.

Vers qui irai je ?
Toi seul Tu as les paroles de la vie eternelle,
comme le dit l'apotre Pierre.

A chaque fois, que je Te recois,,
Tu me combles de tes bienfaits.
Tu fais jaillir de mon coeur,
des sources d'eau vive.
Ma foi est renforcee.
Je ne crains plus les nuits de la vie.
Tu ouvres mes yeux, mes oreilles
a la vraie lumiere.
Telle l'enfant que Tu aimes,,
Je me mets a ton ecoute.

Dans ce silence, O mon Jesus,
Je pose ma tete tout contre ton coeur.
Enfin mon ame fatiguee trouve le repos.
Tu murmures alors les paroles
qui me guerissent, qui me rassurent.

Tu me dis :
" Leve toi et marche !
N'aie plus peur !
Car Moi, Jesus, Je suis avec toi et je t'aime.
Tu es faible,
Je suis venu pour les faibles.

Que crains tu encore ?
Je suis avec toi et je t'accompagne chaque jour.
Je T'aime.

Quand tu t'abandonnes a Moi,
tu me fais confiance,
Alors Je deviens ton ami, le Confident,
le Maitre.,
et j'enseigne alors a ton ame,
comme a un petit enfant.

Ne regarde pas hier, ni demain.
Ne te poses plus de questions,
que tu ne puisses repondre!....
Ne suis je pas le gardien de ton ame ?
Est ce que je ne sais pas de quelle matiere
est faite la creature que j'aime ,
dont l'ame m'est chere.?

Que crains tu de l'enfer, du purgatoire ?
Que crains tu de la mort ?

Tu es vivante.
Ne le sais tu pas ?
A chaque fois, que Je viens en toi,
dans la Tres Sainte Communion,
Je te donne la vie eternelle,
Et alors tu vis de ma vie.

N'aie pas peur, mon enfant !
Aie confiance en tonSauveur,
qui a paye le prix du sang pour toi.
Je suis le Dieu de victoires.
Je rassemble aupres de moi,
tous mes enfants si chers,
car je suis le Bon Berger,le seul vrai Berger,
qui desire proteger tous ses enfants.

Tu as 73 ans et regarde,
Ta plume court sur le papier,
Tu te croyais abetie, finie.
Mais Moi, Je suis Source de Vie.

Celui qui vit de ma presence,
est beni du Pere, du Fils et du Saint Esprit.
Celui la qui m'ecoute,
qui trouve le temps,
qui prend plaisir a m'ecouter,
Celui la vit dans la lumiere.
Celui la a la paix en lui.

Je benis sa famille,
ceux qui lui sont chers.
Je les ramenerai un a un
a mon coeur transperce,
car Je suis un Dieu fidele a sa parole.
Je n'abandonne aucun des miens
qui mettent leur confiance en moi.
Paix ! Paix a ton ame, mon enfant !.
N'aie pas peur de tes faiblesses.
Ne t'arretes pas au desert
que des fois tu traverses,
dont tu te sens prisoniere..

Crois ! Crois que c'est pour ton bien,
ta sanctification.
Ne t'arretes pas aux tenebres
qui glacent ton coeur.
Rejette toute tristesse et decouragement.
Dis le mot : JESUS, JE T'AIME,
J'AI CONFIANCE EN TOI. "

ALORS, MOI, J'ACCOURS,
JE VOLE SUR LES AILES DE MA BIENAIMEE.
TU N'ES PAS SEULE,
TU NE SERAS JAMAIS SEULE DANS LA VIE.
CETE VIE EST COURTE, PASSAGERE.

CROIS, CROIS SEULEMENT,
CAR TU M'APPARTIENS.
Et tu m'es plus chere que tu ne le penses.
 C'EST MOI TA SAINTETE,
JE TE COUVRIRAI DE MON MANTEAU DE SAINTETE,
ET JE T'EMMENERAI AU PERE.

Mon enfant,
comme tu m'as dit   " Je t'aime "
Moi aussi, je te dis : "  Je t'aime ".

=================================

DEREK - POUR SA PREMIERE COMMUNION

CHER DEREK

J'ai desire  mettre  cette  lettre  sur mon blog, car elle est precieuse a mes yeux. Un jour tu la reliras
avec joie.

Calodyne
9Juin2007

Cher Dede

La semaine derniere, c'etait ton anniversaire.
Aujourdhui, tu recois JESUS, TON DIEU dans ton coeur.

Juin 2007 restera pour toi inoubliable.  Ce bonheur  ta maman a voulu le partager avec tous ceux
qui te sont chers.

Aujourdhui, JOUR DE JOIE
JESUS, TON SEIGNEUR ET SAUVEUR  vient chez toi,
et nous dit a tous: "PAIX A CETTE MAISON
                            ET A TOUS SES HABITANTS. "

JESUS  est accompagne de ses anges et de ses saints.  Il n'est jamais seul.
Donc c'est une tres grande joie pour nous de les accueillir et d'accueillir tous ceux ici presents.

Aujourdhui comme a Zachee, Jesus t'appelle:
"Derek, Je suis la ,
Vite sors de la piscine,
Je viens demeurer chez toi.
Tu es encore petit,
mais je te fais confiance,
car je sais que tu m'aimes beaucoup."

Je suis LE MAITRE, L'AMI
ECOUTE MA PAROLE
VIS MES COMMANDEMENTS
SOIS MOI FIDELE.

MOI, JE TE GUIDERAI
JE T'ENSEIGNERAI
JE TE PROTEGERAI
JE T'EMMENERAI A LA SAINTETE
CAR, MON CHEMIN EST VERITE.
EN MOURANT POUR TOI,
JE T'AI DONNE LA VIE.

TU VOIS, MOI AUSSI, JE T'AIME DEREK
N'EN DOUTE JAMAIS."

(Remercie  Le pour  ses bienfaits et sa joie gratuite..)

Derek
N'oublie pas aussi
Ce Pere du Ciel qui est si bon.

Il t'a donne la vie.
Il t'a donne Papa et Maman qui sont les gardiens
de ton bonheur ici bas.
Ils te protegent et t'aident a grandir, a devenir responsables.
Damien et Douggie sont tes petits compagnons en cette vie.

Tous t'aiment tres fort, Derek
et t'aident a etre heureux.
Remercions notre Pere de Cieux  pour tous ces cadeaux.

Pour finir Derek, grandis en Fils de Lumiere
Sois toujours bon, charitable
a l'ecoute de tes freres en difficulte.

N'OUBLIE PAS LA PRIERE
ELLE EST PUISSANTE
CAR ELLE T'OUVRE LE CIEL
ET TU RESPIRES L'AIR DU PARADIS.

SOIS LE PARFUM DE TON JESUS
LE RECONFORT ET LE SOUTIEN DE TES PARENTS ET DE TES FRERES
DANS LES OMENTS DIFFICILES
SOIS LEUR JOIE ET LEUR FIERTE.

JE TE SOUHAITE UNE VIE BELLE ET FECONDE.

Que Jesus te benisse ainsi que nous tous presents.
Grand Pere et Grand Mere sommes heureux de te serrer sur nos coeurs.
Avec tous ici, nous te souhaitons plein de bonnes choses
dans ta vie avec Jesus.

Gros bisous pour mon Dede cheri
Grand mere Arlette

================




Rappelle toi les paroles de Jesus a la Samaritaine :
"  SI TU SAVAIS LE DON DE DIEU,
SI TU CONNAISSAIS CELUI  QUI TE DEMANDE A BOIRE !. "
"  L'EAU QUE JE TE DONNE C'EST L'EAU VIVE
TU EN DEMANDERAIS ENCORE ET ENCORE "

Mon petit Derek

Pour que ta vie porte des fruits,
Ne t'eloigne jamais de la source d'eau vive.
C'EST L'ESPRIT SAINT,L'ESPRIT DE JESUS
qui jaillit de la plaie de son coeur
pour t'aider a vaincre tes faiblesses.

L'Esprit Saint t'apprend a prier, a pardonner
a vivre ta foi et aller de l'avant.

N'oublie pas que ton vrai bonheur
C'est d'habiter le coeur de  ton Jesus,
l'adorer, le contempler, le servir.
C'est la que reside la vraie paix,
La joie  qu'Il te donnera,
personne ne pourra la prendre.

On te prendra pour fou,
Laisse dire.
Mais toi, tu auras le tresor le plus precieux,
LE ROI DES CIEUX,  LE PRINCE DE LA PAIX  comme AMI.

=====================