An end to the quiet days of August

 Br. Josép is on a visit to his mom in Florida.

Other than that most everybody is returning home. Several monks took the opportunity offered by our August closure of the guesthouse to take times of retreat, vacation or family visit. And many others rested in the quiet summer routine of monastic life in the Hudson Valley (tough, we know).

Those are all times of deeper connection with God, with God's creation, with our friends and our loved ones.

But it makes slim picking for this chronicler of the life at the monastery (who was away most of the month...).

This past Friday, Leone and Ken Litt-Rendon visited Br. Bernard on their way back to Queens, NY, after a week at an upstate vacation camp. It's been something of a tradition for several years. Leone and Ken used to visit the monastery often until 11 years ago when they had twin boys. The duties of parenthood doesn't enable to come on retreat for now but they love to stop by to say hello and remember the times when they prayed here to be blessed with children.

It is a joy to see Samuel and Frederick grow and flourish. It is a joy to see their parents' care and love for them.

Prayers answered. From top left, clockwise: Br. Bernard and Leone with Frederick (left) and Samuel (right); the twins sampling Br. Bernard's choir stall; our neighbor Sarrel's flower stand on Route 9 W (just south of the monastery - 2 pictures); the Litt-Rendon family in front of the Monk's Cell Book and Gift Shop (including Ken).

We look forward to our Labor Day cookout this Monday. And then we look forward to the return of our guests on Tuesday. Come back soon.