Prayers to St. Francis for my Frances
I am going to ask the good Saint for some special intercession for my own Frances. I joke about her and circuitous career path a lot. Mainly to cover a mother’s aching heart and over-active mind. (The other night at dinner I got tremendous laughs when I said Frances was Sanskrit for “I am temporarily between situations.” Her father, whose heart aches as much as mine, laughed the loudest, needing some release for the frustrations that build up while watching a child muddle her way through life.)

If we were monied people, Fran would simply be away at college, to work out her issues on one of the coasts. But, possessing smarts but not the ambition to work her way thru college - this is where I make obligatory reference to sister Em who is hustling her derriere off putting herself thru school - she lives with us and pursues an endless array of jobs.

This week she was called back to the local small animal clinic (St. Francis, do you hear where I am going with this....) after being turned down for a job last week. The girl they hired showed up for one day and never came back. The wonder of this is that Fran likes the job. Mostly clerical - doesn’t have to touch much excretia - and a good use of her organizational and ‘people’ skills. I’m praying that she stays at it. Even if she doesn’t decide on a career in animal care or office management or whatever. Just to get in the habit of holding one job for a decent amount of time, saving some money, maybe enrolling in the local community college part time, whatever. I really want what is best for her........

So, for today, I may give Sts. Monica and Augustine a (brief) rest and ask St. Francis to intercede for the new receptionist at the Small Animal Clinic...........



October 4, 1970
This is a day I remember well. I had my gall bladder removed and the first thing I heard coming out of the anesthesia was that Janice Joplin had died. Strange day.