Today I went to church to light my June candles. I’ve not missed a single month since my mom passed away three years ago. I like to go early in the morning when no one is there – a few minutes of solitude after lighting a few candles, a little prayer and I am on my way until the next month. Sometimes I visit twice in a month … perhaps friends are ill, or having surgery or have passed away. In the past three days I have heard of two friends who passed away. We lost touch through the years, and though our paths might likely have never crossed again, I still felt a profound loss upon hearing they were gone. Sometimes I go and light candles for friends who appreciate my prayers for their loved ones who are suffering, or have passed away and on still other occasions I light candles when my heart is heavy from world events. Well, Christ the Good Shepherd Church was my morning destination, and I followed it up with a stroll through the memorial garden bordering the Church. The garden, like my own, has not reached its full potential as it is the beginning of the growing season. But even in early June, slipping through the gate into the memorial garden is like a little slice of Heaven. This morning as I rounded the street corner, tiny pink shrub roses just spilled out over the iron gate which surrounds the garden and there are already plenty of pretty perennials and flowering shrubs galore. By the peak of Summer a variety of hostas are in full bloom and the many types of rosebushes compete with one another for beauty with each emitting its own wonderful scent (especially if you go on in the early morning or after the rain). The parishioners of the Church tend to this garden and there are several concrete benches to stop and rest, reflect, meditate or pray; this tranquil place is here for you. A sign tells you the garden was blessed by the Archbishop. God’s creations are everywhere, just begging to be enjoyed. Life is over too quickly so take a minute out of your day today to bask in the beauty He has created for us. June is National Rose Month … stop what you are doing for goodness sake and bend down and inhale deeply – now that wasn’t so hard was it?