The Ordinary People Project: Part 1
The simple stories of the giants among us.
The world tells us that we need to do something earth shattering to leave a legacy behind or we might be, horror of horrors, forgotten. They’re right, I suppose. Most people are forgotten within a generation or two.
But they’re also wrong, as the world tends to be. What might be on their radar as earth shattering, often amounts to nothing on our judgement day.
The stories you’re about to read aren’t something you’ll find while reading a list of “on this day in history” events or people. Instead, they are “just” ordinary people, with ordinary stories, that add up to an extraordinary legacy.
Make Tables Crowded Again
Society today tells us that we’re absolutely nuts with our 4 kids and practicing NFP, but I always think back and laugh to a story my grandpa told about a hospital waiting room in the 1960’s… He was there for the birth of my youngest uncle (it was still when most women were put under for the birth and the husbands waited out in the lobby). Another gentleman was pacing anxiously up and down the hallway while they both chain-smoked on their cigarettes. By then, my grandpa was sort of a pro at the whole parenthood thing as this was his 7th child about to enter into the world.
He looked sympathetically at the other man and said, “It’s going to be okay. Is this your 1st?”, at which time the fellow father looked at him and said worriedly, “no, it’s my 10th!”
Let’s go back to a time where people were truly open to life and everyone longed for a crowded table.
The Janitor Who Loves Aquinas
About a year and half ago when we took a trip to Maine (we’re Kansans). My husband and I went on the trip without kids so we had so much freedom to make quick stops here and there. We stopped at this beautiful old parish called Saint Marie’s in Manchester, NH.
When we walked in we noticed a janitor (maybe in his 60’s) casually moving through pews sweeping floors. Eventually he stopped us and with a huge grin he asked if this was our first time there. We told him yes and that we are from Kansas and he made the customary “Not in Kansas anymore” joke. He then began going into detail about the parish’s history and how he went to school there too.
This man was FULL of joy. The kind of joy that isn’t just “happiness” but truly free and at peace. The way he talked about his job and growing up at this parish. He talked about his wife that died and how he prays everyday for her soul. He loved his wife so much!
He also shared how after Vatican II there were literal construction machines inside the church working on tearing down the high alter and the only reason it didn’t get torn down was because they discovered it was built into the wall. Thank goodness because this church was way too beautiful to imagine it torn apart!
The last impression he made was the fact that he studies the faith on a daily basis. He shared a website with us (I don’t have it on hand right now) where he goes and reads really intense documents written by St. Thomas Aquinas. He says it’s very difficult to process but he loves diving into it. We were so blown away by the intense peace we were left with after meeting him. A man who has the humblest of jobs and spends his free time in deep theology…and it showed!
“Take care of your home, that is your biggest job.”
I wanted to share a bit about my grandmother who passed away in 2020. She was 93 years old and my grandfather passed away in 1987, so she lived a long life after his passing.
They had 14 children, 34 grandchildren, and 44+ great grandchildren. My grandma never worked a job outside her home. She was a stay at home mom and homemaker and boy did she make a home! She did all the little things and was always joyful.
My grandpa was twenty years older than her and passed away when she was 61. She lived next door to my aunt and then moved in with her as she got older and less independent. She never failed to pray the rosary daily. And she prayed for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by name. She always taught us that the little things mattered. I used to think I had some great things to accomplish for God and she assured me that all the little things add up. "The home and your own family, children come first. Take care of your home, that is your biggest job."
She was in good health with the exception of weak bones and had a fall that she couldn't recover from. When she passed away, we couldn't all be there because of covid restrictions. I can't imagine how many of us would have been there. Not just our family, but the extended family that her life touched as well.
My grandma never learned to drive, never worked a job, never voted. She always went to Mass and had the Eucharist brought to her once she couldn't go anymore. Her big job was passing on her legacy to us, and I hope I can live out my life the way she did.
A Special Line to Jesus and Mary
I nominate my mother-in-law....she is one of the most prayerful people I know. She is a convert to Catholicism and loves her faith with a capital L.
She goes to mass everyday and has recently taken it upon herself to text all of us on feast days, giving us pictures and descriptions of the saints and their respective lives. She is recently widowed and is going through a rough patch right now, but no matter what, if ever I ask her for prayers for anything, she's on it. I really think she's got a special line to Jesus and the Blessed Mother.
We've had some rough parts in our history as I've been married to her son for 30 years and dated him 5 years before that. I've grown to love her in all this time and know what a special person she is.
Thank you so much to the folks who submitted these stories! I hope they encourage you as much as they have me.
As I sift through the others that were sent, there will be more parts to come. I’d love to share more of the stories of those who have impacted your life (past or present!) so feel free to keep them coming my way at accordingtobridget@gmail.com.