後記：英文周記『An Eventful Week』為美語世界論壇作文
This past week has been an eventful week.
Sunday, Feb 10th, was Chinese Lunar New Year, sending away the big Dragon and welcoming the little one. I spent the whole day cooking, putting together a nice dinner for our family to enjoy.
Monday morning, I woke up to a message of shocking news from my friend Qing, "Our Pope Benedict is stepping down!" When I read the announcement in the Holy Father's own words, tears rolled down my face. I was saddened by the news but I also respected his decision. Like our Lord Jesus said, not my will, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. "
Tuesday, Feb 12th, was Fat Tuesday, also called Mardi Gras. Traditionally people used up all the fat in the household and had a carnival celebration. I was still quite sad, I did not feel like having any extravagant celebration. I wrote to a very spiritual Priest I trust, and he replied, "Do not be saddened by the resignation of our Pope, God is good and He will guide us."
Wednesday, Feb 13th, was Ash Wednesday. It marked the beginning of Lenten season 2013, the forty days ( not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. I watched on EWTN (Eternal Word TV Network), our Pope Benedict's last public Mass service at St. Peter's Basilica. At times I was choked up. It was such a beautiful solemn High Mass. And I was deeply moved when the Holy Father crossed the Cardinals with ashes on their heads. The ashes came from burning last year's Palm Sunday branches, mixed with Holy Oil. It reminds us to repent. When the Mass ended, people were all tearing up. Everyone rose and applauded, our Pope smiled. He is so tender-hearted, loving and brave!
The fact that Chinese Spring Festival and Lent start almost on the same day gave people mixed feelings: to celebrate or to be serious? In fact, there are not conflicts: they are both times for renewal.
Thursday, Feb 14th, was St. Valentine's day. That morning sister Tern asked me if I was going to write something. I told her the week had been eventful and I did not know where to begin. That afternoon I drove by Sacred Heart Church. I planned to go in and pray for our Pope, as well as a long list of loved ones. I was disappointed when I saw that the door was locked. As I turned to leave, some beautiful red tulips in the front court caught my eyes. All too often, I was dashing around and not paying attention to little beauties around me. This time I stayed by the flowers and prayed the Rosary. All my worries melted away, I saw everyone I love in the Lord's Sacred heart. Over the years I have received many loving hearts, the biggest one is the Lord's Sacred Heart. It was so wonderful to pay tribute to His Heart 💗 on St. Valentine's day.
Friday I had a chance to go back to the Sacred Heart Church. Fortunately the door was open because a family was doing a wedding rehearsal. I went in briefly and prayed in front of the Pieta, a repilica of the famous one carved by the master Michelangelo, in St Peter's Basilica. When I looked at Mother Mary, I knew she would hold all of us dearly in her immaculate heart.
Today, Feb 16th, Saturday, ends the week with a light-hearted note. It is a nice warm day, my daughter had swim time trial. She swam so well and took time off on almost all of her events. Last year as a freshman in high school, she was moved up to swim in the varsity team. The coach recognized her efforts, and she received many awards. This evening my son's girlfriend came over for dinner. This is the first time that we met her, she is very sweet and we had a good time chatting. Even though I was fasting for Lent for the last couple of days, I still cooked a nice dinner tonight. I cooked a chicken artichoke casserole, garlic bread and a light salad, and the girl brought over a delicious peach cobbler made from her family recipe.
I look forward to the days to come, pray that peace and love will always surround us.
親愛的鬆鬆妹妹，也祝福你的全家還有遠在國內的親人元宵節團團圓圓，甜甜蜜蜜（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
多謝遊醫生，歡迎有空來園子，預祝全家元宵節快樂，團圓（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
白羊姐姐，你跳的舞太美了，在異國他鄉還有機會參加民族傳統舞蹈團，多難得啊。
給白羊姐姐拜年，預祝元宵節團團圓圓，甜甜蜜蜜o(^_^)o
五哥真幹脆，回送五哥一個字“謝！”
藤玉姐姐看上了鬱金香，燕子給你鴕回去吧。還記得你家結的熱帶芒果，美麗的家園~~~
親愛的心姐，抱抱！燕子采摘這初春第一簇亮麗的花兒送給您，心一樣的紅，您為大河抱抱付出無盡的心血，向我們傳遞愛的真情。認識您是我的榮幸，新春祝福老鄉姐姐平安，珍重！You are in my prayers♡
愛無界限，穿越時空，親愛的葉子姐姐就是生活的百靈，美妙的歌聲傳遞給我們感恩的心。
Thanks sister Leaf, blessings, hugs ♡
美燕兒度過了一個unforgettable event week. Big Hug~
親愛的飄飄妹妹，抱抱！希望你度過了快樂的春節和甜蜜的情人節。這些花兒令人駐足，據說葡萄酒杯就稱作“鬱金香型”，大自然賦予的靈感~~~~最近我種了些鬱金香，像荷蘭那樣冷的地方開得更好。
謝謝妹妹惦記，一周發生很多事，春節，教宗退位，狂歡節，聖灰周三，情人節。。。有歡喜，有淚水，在主愛裏都化解了，感恩，祝福。小家的生活依舊，心裏惦念著大家。Blessing, sis, grace-filled year♡
先祝姐姐情人節快樂：）
好漂亮的鬱金香！我也喜歡鬱金香，姐姐拍的好漂亮。
我很喜歡鬱金香，有一年我一連買了好幾種顏色的鬱金香，結果沒多久它們就自生自滅了。。
喜歡姐姐這句：心不移，愛永駐
發生了什麽事情嗎？
親愛的知音鷹妹，同喜同憂，you are in my prayers. 雪兒從小練遊泳，水裏泡大，風雨無阻，看似得來全不費功夫，其實她很努力，大寶熱衷足球，不屈不撓，體育精神，受益匪淺。謝謝你的祝福，我一定傳給他們。好像昨天我們自己還是那個年齡。
你的寶貝象美麗花兒綻放。新周愉快，blessings, love ♡
恭喜雪兒，取得這麽優異的成績！大寶成大人了， 時間好快， 開心快樂，小夥子。：））
親愛的林楓妹妹，你家那裏森林雪景，我看到的這些鬱金香是今年第一組春花。送一絲春的暖意，無邊的愛，you are in my prayers ♡
親愛的晴妹，小寶貝安娜，抱抱！我們共同見證著曆史，感受舍己的愛。這個四旬期是空空的感覺，也充滿著希望。你們要去羅馬朝聖，準備好心靈，身體。快些好起來，願聖父那微笑也駐在你們心裏。這些感覺，不舍，是千千萬萬人分享的，你和小寶充滿靈性，尤其細膩。
祈禱托住你們，也托住Papa Benedict, 送聖心堂前的鬱金香，一絲絲的暖，送靜謐的藍湖，一絲絲的靜...愛無界限，穿越時空，請聖母溫柔地抱抱大小寶貝，平安的一周, 希望和愛在前方，在羅馬等著你們。
是的，象你所說，dankbarkeit, thanksgiving, 感恩，數數充滿聖寵的時刻，count the grace-filled moments, 繼續用愛編織我們的生活，大寶雪兒安娜和所有的孩子們在愛裏成長，希望的一代，主佑平安~~~
終於看到你常說的聖心堂，非常美麗， 還有就是陽光下的鬱金香，你們那裏日暖春光，我們這裏還下著小雪，但是春天快來了。
你這篇文章讓我看到， 內心的信仰和日常的生活，它們的關聯，心在的地方就是愛。雪兒寶貝，真了不起，我們都為她驕傲。
安娜還沒有痊愈，明天就要上學了，我希望她能挺過來，這也是她成長的過程。
我還好，一切都好，從心裏就是Dankbarkeit，中文譯為，感恩， 但是這個德語詞從我的心裏表達得更準確，Dankbarkeit。
抱抱，祝你們新的一周，健康愉快，主佑平安，聖母抱抱！
親愛的桐兒mm，你就像這些花兒，甜美，熱情。那天早上你還問我要不要寫點兒什麽，看到聖心堂前這些花兒，心情豁然開朗，一切喜樂和淚水都有了源泉。
讓美麗的花朵開放在我們心裏。love, blessings ♡
燕兒的字裏行間充滿的了大愛。好愛你！
♡ 心不移，愛永駐 ♡
親愛的阿鬆妹妹，這兩天氣溫升到了70多度，春天的感覺了。我也趕緊在自家院子種點兒花。
希望你度過了美妙的情人節，周末愉快（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
問好燕子姐，周末快樂！
親愛的藤玉姐姐，真的開心你回到了家，帶給我們更多的歡聲笑語。
愛無界限，穿越時空，最美好的祝福♡ ， 也給大小頑童♡
親愛的藍寶寶妹妹，花叢中的小貓咪，讓我們把生活點綴得更美好。
希望你度過了愉快的情人節，想起去年你說日本在3月14號還有一個情人節，天天都快樂♡
杜姐姐好！送上情人節的祝福，謝謝您喜歡，今天出門沒有準備，隻是手機拍的。以後多向您請教。
送大大的愛心♡
京燕的相機是新相機嗎？
尤其喜歡第二張的角度和銳度！