Category Archives: faith

An Ode to Dad

Posted on June 19, 2020 by maryannniemczura

He’s a pearl of great value my mother said. She was right. Lucky to have married him, the father of our two children. We love him. He’s patient and kind. He listens even when the topic is difficult. He … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family love, Father's Day, pearl of great value | Tagged assessor, children, coach, inner strength, mentor, music minister, scientist, Teacher | 27 Comments

Five Brothers, One Family

Posted on May 29, 2020 by maryannniemczura

As we recall this Memorial Day all the sacrifices made, we are grateful as a country for our liberty. We visit cemeteries, march in parades, fly the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing our National Anthem. We are … Continue reading →

Posted in children, education, faith, family, freedom, Memorial Day, resilience, soldiers | Tagged Bill of Rights, Brownie, civics class, Constitution, education, faith, freedom, history, love, parades, Pledge of Allegiance, role models, soldiers | 14 Comments

Hope Sustains, Hope Remains

Posted on April 10, 2020 by maryannniemczura

Even as snow covers the ground, there is hope of spring -it will finally arrive. Rampant, worldwide pandemic affects all of us; yet, there is hope, HOPE. Look into the eyes of a child anticipating gifts for birthdays and … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, faith, Good Friday, hope, Mother Nature, pandemic | Tagged birds, cure, faith, flowers, Mother Nature, tree buds, worldwide virus | 31 Comments

March Madness

Posted on March 31, 2020 by maryannniemczura

March Madness by guest author, Emily Catherine, R.N. and my daughter The time of year that would be filled with excitement now that spring is approaching and summer is right around the corner has arrived. I grew up in an … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, fear, front line, March Madness, masks, PPE, Registered Nurse, the winning team | Tagged basketball brackets, colleagues, comfort, family, fear is the enemy, friends, heal, loved ones, patients, peace | 23 Comments

The Beauty of December

Posted on December 22, 2017 by maryannniemczura

Softly, quietly, gently falling snowflakes clothe the earth in beauty. Catching them in our gloved hands to gaze at their shapes is part of the fun. Kids lean their heads back with open mouths to catch the snowflakes. Building snowmen … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Christmas choir, music, worship, Music Ministry, singing, Christmas Peace, Christmas Traditions, faith | Tagged beauty, chocolate chip cookies, December, family, friends, Santa, snow, snowflakes | 20 Comments

July 4th Traditions

Posted on July 4, 2015 by maryannniemczura

Family, friends, faith, food, flying the flag and fireworks create memorable traditions this July 4th. Neighbors are out relaxing, playing, taking walks and cooking outdoors. Everyone stops to reflect on this country and on those who went before us and … Continue reading →

Posted in celebrations, Colorado, faith, family, fireworks, food, friends, July 4th, prayer before meals, Pueblo, traditions, Upstate New York, vegetable gardens | Tagged birthday cakes, children, education, faith, family, fireworks, flag, food, friends, gardens, German prayer before meals, July 4, memories, music, traditions | Leave a comment

Auf Wiedersehen, Until Next Time

Posted on May 30, 2015 by maryannniemczura

The German expression auf Wiedersehen seems less final than goodbye in English which implies forever or farewell. The German appears hopeful and means until we see one another again. At the conclusion of both Fulbright experiences in Germany, the Director … Continue reading →

Posted in auf Wiedersehen, education, educator, faith, German, life lessons, saying goodbyes, students, study abroad | Tagged anticipation, auf Wiedersehen, bittersweet moments, college, education, faith, German, Germany, going abroad, life's journey, nostalgia, remembering, saying goodbyes, students, study | 2 Comments

Treasure the Gifts of the Past

Posted on May 23, 2015 by maryannniemczura

With flowers, trees, birds and bees in full bloom now and bustling activity, I reflect this Memorial Day Weekend on family and especially those who have served in the military. Each year my husband puts up hanging flower baskets on … Continue reading →

Posted in Colorado, education, faith, family, freedom, love, Massachusetts, Memorial Day, productive citizens, reflect on the past, resilience, role models, soldiers, WWII | Tagged children, Colorado, education, faith, family, freedom, independent citizens, love, Massachusetts, Memorial Day, parents, resilience, role models, soldiers | 4 Comments

Remembering him today

Posted on October 18, 2014 by maryannniemczura

Today is the anniversary of my Dad’s death. He died Oct. 18, 1990 when I was a Fulbright teacher in Neresheim, Germany with our two young children along. According to his wishes one month earlier in a phone conversation, I … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, family, family stories, funeral Mass, Nostalgia, parents, People, Teaching in Germany | Tagged death, faith, family, father, funeral, Germany, music, reflections, remembering, USA, World Sunday Mass | 2 Comments

Dad and I

Posted on October 11, 2014 by maryannniemczura

It has been about 24 years since my Dad died, but it seems only yesterday. It was at his urging that my sisters and I studied abroad. I chose Germany and spent almost three years in Heidelberg. When he asked … Continue reading →

Posted in education, faith, family, life lessons, Nostalgia, parents | Tagged cancer, children, death, Germany, Heidelberg, independence, memories, nostalgia, parents, self-reliance, trust, university study | 13 Comments