In loving memory of our dear friend and Sister in Christ, Lynda Halyburton – Kilroy

This last week has reminded me that life rarely gives us the luxury of experiencing one emotion at a time. Instead sometimes they come as flash floods.

This past Saturday, my husband and I attended a beautiful family wedding. It was an incredibly wonderful, happy and a holy celebration.  The very next day, on Sunday, we hosted a children’s backyard birthday party to celebrate my grandson’s Max second birthday—talk about a joyful noise made poignant; it occurred to me during the party that we had moved into our current family home when my own son was two years old. My son Michael, is soon to be 29. The memories came flooding back. Talk about coming full circle. I couldn’t stop laughing and crying seeing all the children run around with  water balloons trying to get each other..

During the same week, our family also navigated other situations that instead of being joyful, were the polar opposite, they are heart wrenching. I appeal to you for your prayers.

And then… in the middle of all our party planning — our ministry suffered an utterly profound loss.

Lynda Halyburton – Kilroy entered into eternal life.

A while back, I had asked you to pray for her.

Many of you may not have known Lynda personally, but if Catholic Moms Group has ever touched your life, there is a very good chance that she quietly played a part in that blessing. For many years, she faithfully served alongside me in this ministry. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes and often on the front lines with extraordinary dedication, humility, generosity, and love. She wasn’t seeking recognition. She simply loved Christ, loved His Church, and loved serving mothers.

If you attended the Dynamic Women of Faith conference, you would have definitely met her.

She was one of those rare souls whose presence made everyone around her feel lighter. I miss her deeply.

Now that the house has finally grown quiet after such a time week, the weight of all these emotions is settling. Grief. Gratitude. Celebration. Loss. Hope. Bewilderment. Sadness. Loneliness. Awe. Joy. I seem to be feeling them all at once.

Lynda’s funeral Mass is coming up this Friday.

Have you ever experienced something like this?

As wives, mothers, and sisters in Christ, we can’t put life on hold until our hearts catch up. Children still need us. Grandchildren need us. Husbands still need us. Friends still need us. Meals still need to be prepared. Laundry still needs to get done. Our work and responsibilities continue to call us. All the while, our vocation continues—even while our hearts are breaking or overflowing with unimaginable joy.

I’ve come to realize that Catholic motherhood isn’t about choosing between rejoicing and grieving. It’s about recognizing Christ in our midst, recognizing that He is Our Lord and Saviour and knowing that He is accompanying us—smack in the middle of it all. Catholic motherhood is also about snuggling under Our Blessed Mother’s mantle, allowing her to comfort us and hold us tenderly close to her heart.

I have found…  that by doing my best —  to stay present in the moment really helps me cope and of course constantly praying…

“Lord, what are You asking of me today? Holy Spirit, show me what to do!”

Sometimes the answer is to rejoice wholeheartedly.  Sometimes it is simply to weep with those who weep. Often, it is both.

Yesterday, overwhelmed with grief, I ran to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, in the holy sacrifice of the Mass who alone strengthens me. Today..  I will run back…

Yesterday I received a text that became to me a signal grace, providing reassurance that Our Blessed Mother was holding me tenderly in her arms.

I experienced her gentle delightful, sweet consolation. She reminded me that She is accompanying me, and She encouraged me to continually pray the Rosary, cling to the Rosary…  after all she too, knew both immeasurable joy and unimaginable sorrow.

Our Blessed Mother teaches all of us how to keep saying “yes.”

The older I get, the more I realize that a full life isn’t one without sorrow; it’s one where we recognize Christ’s presence in every joy and in every Cross.

At times, we can clearly recognize His presence in others… that are right in our midst…

Some time ago, I interviewed Dr. Lombardi on Midday Moms about the mystery of suffering. At the time, I had no idea how personally I would need that conversation. Looking back now, I believe God was quietly preparing my own heart before I even realized it.

If you’re walking through a season where joy and sorrow seem to be intertwined, I hope it will encourage you. I will be sharing it in the coming days.

I’d also love for you to watch this short video celebrating Lynda’s friendship and faithful service. My husband and I worked on it over the past few days (mostly my husband).

I wrote a little reflection on Lynda’s contribution to the ministry, you can read it directly below the video right on YouTube.

My heart is in  am in awe, and in grief all at the same time; filled with gratitude for so very, very much.

I would also ask you to pray for Lynda’s husband, her two sons, her mother, and all who loved her. May perpetual light shine upon her, and may she rest in the arms of Christ.