The Key Of Heaven

You can buy it for $48.99 online, but it means much more than any monetary thing to me. Pepere knew his time was short and he chose to die in his home surrounded by those that loved him. On Tuesday he came home from the hospital, via ambulance. I climbed in the back with him and joked about his bushy eyebrows holding up his hat, he laughed. The laugh we all loved and we can still hear when we stop and think about him. We took the kids over Wednesday to say goodbye while he was still talking and fairly comfortable. By Thursday we knew his time was very short, Ben and I spent the day and night with many other family members praying, singing hymns and just genuinely loving Pepere while he gave his whole spirit to us in his last few days finding ways to show his love no matter how physically weak he was. Through a squeeze of the hand, a small smile, a raised eyebrow, whispered Hail Mary's he was ever so present.
I liked the early morning hours while he still slept to pray the rosary and just sit with him with the Holy Spirit surrounding him in a quilt so warm. I thought of Memere his wife of so many years in those moments and the quilts she made that we still use to wrap up in our bed nightly. How life comes back around in moments to remember those that have gone before and save us a place. So I was up early and around 4 am Auntie Arlene says "Bridget, I found this in Pepere's things, it's his key to heaven maybe you can get it to work for him." That key became my strength, because it represented to me a bigger God and a bigger plan and the gates that aren't locked once we pass from this earth. The only thing that can be locked is our heart and to open it we don't need a key just to accept the love of Christ in all things and through all things and to share that love of Christ with others. Pepere did that in all things and through all things, he served God by serving others. I put that key ring around my finger and carried it all day Friday with my rosary that never left my hand, Pepere's journey wasn't one he made alone. Everyone that stepped in that house was on that journey with him and for each individual that journey was different, it was meant to be different and unique to teach us individually lessons that we each needed in that moment.
In many ways that journey was just like Pepere, he had a unique relationship with each of us, an individual one, different from the others but no less than or more than any other unique and filled with love for every person he encountered. As was witnessed over and over again throughout his last days on this earth.
The key wasn't needed for Pepere to get into heaven, while we hoped and prayed everyday that he would be able to let go and be free from his earthly body, we all knew it wasn't up to him but up to God to set him free from his earthly journey and let him walk in the glory of God forever. The key though has been something that has helped set me free. On Saturday that week I put the key around my neck and I took to heart the things on the key.

Mark 8:36 "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world if he lose his own soul." 

The reminder to me here is that everything I'm doing should be for the greater glory of God, not for my own gain, or for my own profit to be able to afford the newest and best for the kids, but for God's gain. Where can I give more and receive less, where can I cut back and give forward. 

The Crucifix 

The center of the key, reminding me to spend more time sitting at the foot of the cross looking up at the One who sacrificed it all for me, He opened the gate and it is through my belief in Him that I will one day walk into eternity.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 Jesus heart is divine, it is the heart of God. Being three in one, when I meditate on the sacred heart of Jesus I am remembering the divinity in Him, God and the Holy Spirit. Being reminded of this great devotion in my Catholic faith helps me to pause and accept the outpouring of His love for me. Pepere poured his love out freely to all those he met. I too seek to share my love by pouring it out. The sacred heart of Jesus is infinite love for us and this infinity is meant for all. When I struggle to love those most difficult in my daily life especially the foster children God places with us when their trauma actions are bigger and badder and scarier than I know how to handle may the key around my neck remind me of His Sacred Heart and that love that he has for me so that I may pour it out to all.

The Miraculous Medal

Also known as the medal of the Immaculate Conception which is Mary being conceived and thus born without sin, the only human other than Jesus to have this distinction as a gift from God to make her the holy temple of His son. "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." as prayed by St. Catherine Laboure upon her vision of the Blessed Mother in the form that is depicted on the medal from Mary asking St. Catherine to have it created. Researching this miraculous medal was just another gift given to me by receiving the key. Delving into the devotionals the Catholic Church has to offer that help me to remain close to Mary and thus close to her son. Just as I stood holding Pepere's hand at his bedside I can reach out for my mother Mary's hand at all times of life for strength and grace during the hard moments or any moments. Wearing it and praying the rosary multiple times a day during that week with Pepere has brought me to turn more fully to the devotional of the rosary and all the graces that can come through praying it regularly. Through wearing the key I am daily reminded of the importance of my faith and the importance on regular prayers that my faith calls me to say so that I can remain more fully in communion with my Father who created me. 

St. Christopher

A Saint that much has been said about, but about which few facts are known. He is a Saint and his name means Christ bearer, the staff, the tree and the image of a man bearing a child on his soldiers are what represents him. To me the significance of him on the key is reminding me that I too need to bear Christ in my heart at all times. To remember he is always with me, the key hanging on my neck reminds me I am bearing Him to others and to act in ways that show the face of Jesus to those whom I meet.
Finally on the reverse side is the note I am a Catholic, in case of accident please call a Priest. Hopefully I will never need said note, but it also serves as a reminder that my faith lies in the universal truth of Christ. I love my Catholic faith and wearing a token of that faith helps me in my daily life.