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| Almsgiving Preparations Check List |
And almost all the items on the Almsgiving Preparations List that have to be done before the actual day of the almsgiving been checked off:
The house has been vacuumed and tidied; the living room furniture was rearranged (thank you, daughter)
The serving dishes and all the other items required for the almsgiving have been taken down from the cabinets, washed, and kept ready (again, thank you, daughter)
Groceries were ordered and picked up (on Thursday).'
On Friday, I picked up friend R who came to help with the cooking. All the curries on the menu have been cooked, ready to be warmed up on Saturday morning.
Friend R will come in the morning to help with the last minute preparations.
Of course, all the planning in the world can't prevent last minute glitches. Both my cousin and daughter's friend who had said they will come to the almsgiving called today to let us know that they will not be coming because they have come down with something. I am sorry they are not well, but, also, very thankful that they are staying home if they are ill! M called to say he was having some battery issues with his truck and would not be able to come today. Of course, I said it was okay, but I had planned to ask him to sweep up the front walkway and now, it won't get done unless I find time to do it tomorrow morning. But, worst of all, I got impatient with my daughter when she asked where something was and snapped at her, which was not very nice of me. ("It's where it always has been"...except it wasn't! I had moved it during the living room painting and had not put it back!) Later, I apologized and she was quick to forgive, but, I'm very sorry that I snapped at her. She has been so helpful, too.
Today, I am grateful for:
- Daughter's help with getting the house tidied and the almsgiving prep
- Friend R's help with the food preparations
- Getting all the advance prep done
- Friend R's help with the food preparations
- Getting all the advance prep done
- Daughter being so ready to forgive me for snapping at her
- A restful evening.
Today's joyful activities was preparing for the almsgiving.
I've a long list of things to do on Saturday morning, but, friend R will be coming to help. And daughter will help, too.
I hope you've had a lovely day. What are your plans for Saturday?
It is so easy to give a sharp reply when we are over tired and stressed. But you and your daughter have a strong loving relationship, so such slips are swiftly followed by genuine apology and true forgiveness. May this very special ritual of your faith be meaningful to all who participate. Peace, love and joy to you and your loved ones this season
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Today's almsgiving went very well. I was very tired, afterwards, though.
DeleteYou've got a lot on your plate and you wouldn't be human if you didn't lose your temper every once in while. Good luck today. I'm sure all will go well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. I'm definitely human! :D Today's events went very well. It tired me out, though!
DeleteHard days are not a sign to quit.
ReplyDeleteThey are a sign to grow.
The obstacle is the way.
#StayStrong
https://faithfatigueandthefuture.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-obstacle-is-way-perseverance.html
Thank you, Random Doctor.
DeleteOh gosh - we all get impatient with the people we live with. Just ask my husband lol
ReplyDeleteNo excuse but we are human.
More than half the time when I apologize he will say, "what? I already forgot about that" Sweet man that he is.
Well you are as ready as you can be. Your daughter is a good helper.
And it's always nice how friend R helps and also for her to come back today to help and for the service.
I am looking forward to reading about the day.
Thank you, Debra. Yes, I'm definitely human. :) Your husband sounds like a wonderful, loving person.
DeleteIt's very kind of friend R to come and help on both days, especially as she's not Buddhist! But, she grew up in a Buddhist household and her daughters are married to Buddhists, so she is familiar with the traditions. She is participating in memory of her mother and her husband, both of whom passed away in December (different years).
I'm a bit pushed but just came online to wish you all the best for the almsgiving. I hope it goes smoothly and brings you comfort and many blessings for the coming year. (I have read all the recent posts but no time to comment on all of them now.)
ReplyDeletePS. I chuckled at the list item "Take R home", at the idea that you might forget unless you wrote it down! Or suddenly notice her standing in your house and say "Sorry, giving you a lift isn't on my schedule so I'm afraid you're stuck here now!"
Will be thinking of you tomorrow/later - as it's already Saturday here.
Thank you for taking the time to wish me the best for the almsgiving, Lady Ella. Yes, it all went smoothly and I feel blessed and very tired!
DeleteFriend R has been very insistent, recently, about taking a ride share to come to my house and to go back, refusing a ride from me. She can ill afford to pay for ride shares, so, I was determined to drive her home, today.
It sounds like you are incredibly well prepared, and I'm sure everything will go smoothly. I hope your cousin and daughter's friend will be feeling better soon.
ReplyDeleteSending love, Bless. Xx
Thank you, Jules. The almsgiving proceeded very smoothly and we were ready and waiting when the monks arrived.
DeleteIt seems that there is something making the rounds, here, as another friend of my daughters called to tell her that she is not feeling well and will not be able to attend the pancake breakfast daughter is hosting, tomorrow.
I hope that everyone enjoyed the prayers and food and company at the almsgiving!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bushlady. Everything went well and afterwards, I sent over a plate of food to neighbor S who gave me some homemade blinchik (stuffed crepes) in return. The food go round is definitely in evidence!
DeleteI hope all went well.
ReplyDeleteSometimes tempers can be frayed when things are a little tense. Sounds as though several things changed from what you had planned. It's good you apologised and daughter accepted. I'm sure she understood.
Thank you, Sharon. Yes, everything went well and daughter and I hugged and made up. I'm so thankful that she was willing to do so.
DeleteThe anonymous comments (last couple) were mine. Apparently, the computer signed me out again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for letting me know, Sharon. :)
DeleteI hope the almsgiving went well and you are resting or will be soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie; It went well and as usual, I did too much. I'm resting now with a heating pad as my back is sore!
DeleteOk, now that I have read about your Almsgiving preparations after your Almsgiving post (my fault for reading the posts in the wrong order), it sounds like you had a couple very full days but totally worth it. I like how the preparations bring you joy too. That's a big part of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, hannah jane. Yes, I start my preparations several weeks in advance, buying various food items and preparing dishes that can be frozen ahead of time to cut down on the stuff I have to do in the days immediately preceding the day of the almsgiving. I tire more quickly these days than I used to, say 10 years ago, so, I need to pace myself. :)
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