I was knocked to my knees yesterday as I heard the news of my dear Sister Carol‘s sudden passing. Carol has been my spiritual director for nearly 3 years and became (in her words) my “spiritual grandmother.” We loved one another deeply, in the way only Jesus could orchestrate. I feel a bit lost already without her in my world.

I am gutted with the grief and and yet grounded in gratitude. Sr. Carol taught me how to do be both at once. She taught me so much.

Dear Sister Carol,

You have taught me how to be a trusting wife and how to date my husband. You taught me how to learn from my children and how to teach them to pray. You taught me the importance of having fun, and you urged me to honor and appreciate my body. You laughed with me, you loved me, you know more of the real Melanie than almost anyone. I am grateful. And I will be grieving your sudden and shocking death for quite some time.