Spiritual Sunday: My Cross Wall, Part 4

Welcome, Friends,

I have one eye on the TV as PC changes the channels between the Packers-Bears game and the Chiefs-Texans game, my other eye is switching between typing here and checking the points of my two fantasy football teams, Chicharones and Pale Pink Pork Bellies.

Sensory overload!

Today I want to the share three more crosses with you.

Actually, make that two crosses and an angel that is almost shaped like a cross.  They represent some very special people in my life.

I pray for my sister-in-law Metra at this cross.

I don’t get to see my Kentucky family as often as I would like but whenever I am “home” (never really lived in Lexington, though), I enjoy making memories with my brother, sister-in-law, their kids and my sweet mama.  Although Kevin and Metra are no longer married, they have maintained a friendship that has provided their children Shelby and Jacob with a great foundation.

And Metra is and always will be family.

She is a wonderful mother.  Her children love and respect her very much.  She has recently begun a shiny new job that is requiring she spend more time at work.  Along with a longer work day comes a lot of responsibility but none of that keeps Metra from being at all of Jacob’s basketball games or joining Shel at the University of Tennessee for special Chi Omega sorority activities.  And Metra is my mom’s third “daughter”, always doing sweet things to brighten my mom’s day – Chinese take-out for lunch, or stopping by for an after work visit.

I think this cross represents Metra because it is pretty straightforward with little flourishes at the ends.  Those flourishes symbolize her sense of humor, sense of adventure, her loving heart and her adorable southern accent.   And the Celtic-looking knot or design in the center makes me think of family and how family is at the center of what Metra considers most important.

This little angel was a gift from my sister-in-law Greta and PC’s brother JC.  

Not to be confused with THE JC.

But this JC is a really, really good guy, too.

I just realized that I can see my reflection holding my iPhone camera in this sweet angel’s face.  The face is a shiny stone, much prettier when you don’t see my reflection there.  Just imagine how pretty the angel is when I am not standing in front of her!  She reflects goodness.  And so do Greta and John.  They both have loving hearts for people and animals and our Earth.

While the predominant color is shades of green, my favorite color and undoubtedly THE best color in the rainbow, there is a little purple-y mauve.  Purple is Greta’s favorite color and PC’s.  My little angel hangs in our bedroom because her colors match the colors in our quilt so perfectly.

The stained glass quality of this angel is special, too.  I have always admired a piece of stained glass John and Greta have in their home.  Greta and I always go (window) shopping when I am visiting Ohio, stopping at all of the cute, antique and mom and pop stores downtown.   On our last visit, we dropped off food, toys and treats to the animal shelter.  And that is just another reason why this angel represents Greta.

The last cross for this post is for PC’s whole family.

His parents, Wally and May, his youngest brother Dan, my sister-in-law Catherine and their boys Seth and Jacob.

PC grew up in a very religious family with incredible faith.  Probably comes in part from PC’s father being a Baptist preacher.  Wally and May were strict parents who held their sons to high standards.  Their boys have grown up to become good, good men with strong morals and values that aren’t exactly common these days.

I think this cross is as substantial and strong as it is heavy.  The green panel is a thick piece of translucent glass and the black filigree is metal, iron?  I believe it was given to me by my sister Valerie.  I always wanted to hang it so the light could shine through it but it weighs so much that I wasn’t sure how to suspend it in front of window.  I have hung it in my loft but under a light fixture, a sconce that was a gift from Lauren.  When the light is on, this green is especially lush.

The green is representative of May’s two thumbs.  She has never met a plant that didn’t love her!  Their yard is a jumble of all kinds of plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables.  May gifts those she knows with dried seeds but this desert gardener’s thumbs are brown.  I can never seem to grown much in our yard.  I think I over-love everything with too much water.

I am blessed to have been born to the loving parents I was and to have married into a loving family as well.  I pray our Heavenly Father keeps all of my family and friends safe, healthy and happy.

Do you have a cross wall, favorite set of rosary beads, religious statues or sculpture in your home?  Maybe a special book of devotions?  If so, please let me know.  Would love to share here on the blog.

Wishing you a blessed week.

Hugs and kisses,