后记：英文周记『An Eventful Week』为美语世界论坛作文
This past week has been an eventful week.
Sunday, Feb 10th, was Chinese Lunar New Year, sending away the big Dragon and welcoming the little one. I spent the whole day cooking, putting together a nice dinner for our family to enjoy.
Monday morning, I woke up to a message of shocking news from my friend Qing, "Our Pope Benedict is stepping down!" When I read the announcement in the Holy Father's own words, tears rolled down my face. I was saddened by the news but I also respected his decision. Like our Lord Jesus said, not my will, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. "
Tuesday, Feb 12th, was Fat Tuesday, also called Mardi Gras. Traditionally people used up all the fat in the household and had a carnival celebration. I was still quite sad, I did not feel like having any extravagant celebration. I wrote to a very spiritual Priest I trust, and he replied, "Do not be saddened by the resignation of our Pope, God is good and He will guide us."
Wednesday, Feb 13th, was Ash Wednesday. It marked the beginning of Lenten season 2013, the forty days ( not counting Sundays) leading up to Easter. I watched on EWTN (Eternal Word TV Network), our Pope Benedict's last public Mass service at St. Peter's Basilica. At times I was choked up. It was such a beautiful solemn High Mass. And I was deeply moved when the Holy Father crossed the Cardinals with ashes on their heads. The ashes came from burning last year's Palm Sunday branches, mixed with Holy Oil. It reminds us to repent. When the Mass ended, people were all tearing up. Everyone rose and applauded, our Pope smiled. He is so tender-hearted, loving and brave!
The fact that Chinese Spring Festival and Lent start almost on the same day gave people mixed feelings: to celebrate or to be serious? In fact, there are not conflicts: they are both times for renewal.
Thursday, Feb 14th, was St. Valentine's day. That morning sister Tern asked me if I was going to write something. I told her the week had been eventful and I did not know where to begin. That afternoon I drove by Sacred Heart Church. I planned to go in and pray for our Pope, as well as a long list of loved ones. I was disappointed when I saw that the door was locked. As I turned to leave, some beautiful red tulips in the front court caught my eyes. All too often, I was dashing around and not paying attention to little beauties around me. This time I stayed by the flowers and prayed the Rosary. All my worries melted away, I saw everyone I love in the Lord's Sacred heart. Over the years I have received many loving hearts, the biggest one is the Lord's Sacred Heart. It was so wonderful to pay tribute to His Heart 💗 on St. Valentine's day.
Friday I had a chance to go back to the Sacred Heart Church. Fortunately the door was open because a family was doing a wedding rehearsal. I went in briefly and prayed in front of the Pieta, a repilica of the famous one carved by the master Michelangelo, in St Peter's Basilica. When I looked at Mother Mary, I knew she would hold all of us dearly in her immaculate heart.
Today, Feb 16th, Saturday, ends the week with a light-hearted note. It is a nice warm day, my daughter had swim time trial. She swam so well and took time off on almost all of her events. Last year as a freshman in high school, she was moved up to swim in the varsity team. The coach recognized her efforts, and she received many awards. This evening my son's girlfriend came over for dinner. This is the first time that we met her, she is very sweet and we had a good time chatting. Even though I was fasting for Lent for the last couple of days, I still cooked a nice dinner tonight. I cooked a chicken artichoke casserole, garlic bread and a light salad, and the girl brought over a delicious peach cobbler made from her family recipe.
I look forward to the days to come, pray that peace and love will always surround us.
亲爱的松松妹妹，也祝福你的全家还有远在国内的亲人元宵节团团圆圆，甜甜蜜蜜（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
多谢游医生，欢迎有空来园子，预祝全家元宵节快乐，团圆（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
白羊姐姐，你跳的舞太美了，在异国他乡还有机会参加民族传统舞蹈团，多难得啊。
给白羊姐姐拜年，预祝元宵节团团圆圆，甜甜蜜蜜o(^_^)o
五哥真干脆，回送五哥一个字“谢！”
藤玉姐姐看上了郁金香，燕子给你鸵回去吧。还记得你家结的热带芒果，美丽的家园~~~
亲爱的心姐，抱抱！燕子采摘这初春第一簇亮丽的花儿送给您，心一样的红，您为大河抱抱付出无尽的心血，向我们传递爱的真情。认识您是我的荣幸，新春祝福老乡姐姐平安，珍重！You are in my prayers♡
爱无界限，穿越时空，亲爱的叶子姐姐就是生活的百灵，美妙的歌声传递给我们感恩的心。
Thanks sister Leaf, blessings, hugs ♡
美燕儿度过了一个unforgettable event week. Big Hug~
亲爱的飘飘妹妹，抱抱！希望你度过了快乐的春节和甜蜜的情人节。这些花儿令人驻足，据说葡萄酒杯就称作“郁金香型”，大自然赋予的灵感~~~~最近我种了些郁金香，像荷兰那样冷的地方开得更好。
谢谢妹妹惦记，一周发生很多事，春节，教宗退位，狂欢节，圣灰周三，情人节。。。有欢喜，有泪水，在主爱里都化解了，感恩，祝福。小家的生活依旧，心里惦念着大家。Blessing, sis, grace-filled year♡
先祝姐姐情人节快乐：）
好漂亮的郁金香！我也喜欢郁金香，姐姐拍的好漂亮。
我很喜欢郁金香，有一年我一连买了好几种颜色的郁金香，结果没多久它们就自生自灭了。。
喜欢姐姐这句：心不移，爱永驻
发生了什么事情吗？
亲爱的知音鹰妹，同喜同忧，you are in my prayers. 雪儿从小练游泳，水里泡大，风雨无阻，看似得来全不费功夫，其实她很努力，大宝热衷足球，不屈不挠，体育精神，受益匪浅。谢谢你的祝福，我一定传给他们。好像昨天我们自己还是那个年龄。
你的宝贝象美丽花儿绽放。新周愉快，blessings, love ♡
恭喜雪儿，取得这么优异的成绩！大宝成大人了， 时间好快， 开心快乐，小伙子。：））
亲爱的林枫妹妹，你家那里森林雪景，我看到的这些郁金香是今年第一组春花。送一丝春的暖意，无边的爱，you are in my prayers ♡
亲爱的晴妹，小宝贝安娜，抱抱！我们共同见证着历史，感受舍己的爱。这个四旬期是空空的感觉，也充满着希望。你们要去罗马朝圣，准备好心灵，身体。快些好起来，愿圣父那微笑也驻在你们心里。这些感觉，不舍，是千千万万人分享的，你和小宝充满灵性，尤其细腻。
祈祷托住你们，也托住Papa Benedict, 送圣心堂前的郁金香，一丝丝的暖，送静谧的蓝湖，一丝丝的静...爱无界限，穿越时空，请圣母温柔地抱抱大小宝贝，平安的一周, 希望和爱在前方，在罗马等着你们。
是的，象你所说，dankbarkeit, thanksgiving, 感恩，数数充满圣宠的时刻，count the grace-filled moments, 继续用爱编织我们的生活，大宝雪儿安娜和所有的孩子们在爱里成长，希望的一代，主佑平安~~~
终于看到你常说的圣心堂，非常美丽， 还有就是阳光下的郁金香，你们那里日暖春光，我们这里还下着小雪，但是春天快来了。
你这篇文章让我看到， 内心的信仰和日常的生活，它们的关联，心在的地方就是爱。雪儿宝贝，真了不起，我们都为她骄傲。
安娜还没有痊愈，明天就要上学了，我希望她能挺过来，这也是她成长的过程。
我还好，一切都好，从心里就是Dankbarkeit，中文译为，感恩， 但是这个德语词从我的心里表达得更准确，Dankbarkeit。
抱抱，祝你们新的一周，健康愉快，主佑平安，圣母抱抱！
亲爱的桐儿mm，你就像这些花儿，甜美，热情。那天早上你还问我要不要写点儿什么，看到圣心堂前这些花儿，心情豁然开朗，一切喜乐和泪水都有了源泉。
让美丽的花朵开放在我们心里。love, blessings ♡
燕儿的字里行间充满的了大爱。好爱你！
♡ 心不移，爱永驻 ♡
亲爱的阿松妹妹，这两天气温升到了70多度，春天的感觉了。我也赶紧在自家院子种点儿花。
希望你度过了美妙的情人节，周末愉快（＾Ｏ＾☆♪
问好燕子姐，周末快乐！
亲爱的藤玉姐姐，真的开心你回到了家，带给我们更多的欢声笑语。
爱无界限，穿越时空，最美好的祝福♡ ， 也给大小顽童♡
亲爱的蓝宝宝妹妹，花丛中的小猫咪，让我们把生活点缀得更美好。
希望你度过了愉快的情人节，想起去年你说日本在3月14号还有一个情人节，天天都快乐♡
杜姐姐好！送上情人节的祝福，谢谢您喜欢，今天出门没有准备，只是手机拍的。以后多向您请教。
送大大的爱心♡
京燕的相机是新相机吗？
尤其喜欢第二张的角度和锐度！