Today’s Gospel challenges me to “turn another cheek” to those who mistreat me.  It’s another way of saying “treat others as you would like people to treat you.” When I am kind, friendly, compassionate and helpful, the blessings that come back to me are unmeasurable. 
 
I already raised my own 3 children and survived their teenage years.  As a Mom, I endured some unfair treatment.  Afterall, when my kids were teenagers, they treated me worse than they treated the outside world.  I dealt with them when they were overtired, confrontational, moody, had an attitude, were frustrated, disrespectful, overwhelmed, broken-hearted, when they pushed the boundaries, bickered, talked back, were untruthful, defiant or going through their awkward phase…  Somewhere underneath it all, they knew that I would love them unconditionally, no matter what.  What parent wouldn’t give their child the shirt off their back and protect them like a lion protects their cub? 
 
When I was a newlywed, being in love was easy!  Being a Mom of 3 young children, love was purely displayed.  Having 3 teens, expressions of love were often misunderstood.  Bill and I have been married for 37 years; we’re now at the “empty nest” stage for the first time in 32 years!  I miss my kids terribly.  Bill is almost 10 years older than me, which was awesome when we were young, but certainly a challenge now!  I inherited my mom’s “energizer bunny” genes and I am married to a senior citizen!  Yet, when I look around at mass, the real definition of love is seen in the elderly couples who hold hands and help each other into the pew and out to the car.  That is an expression of love that’s endured a lifetime of celebrations and tribulations…together as soulmates.
 
I’m relearning a new kind of patience and compromise and gratefulness with each new day.  Love and Christianity begin at home.  I need to adapt to the changes in life’s stages and accept how the effects of aging are taking root in my marriage.  Stepping up to the challenges of inevitably becoming a caregiver again is a new opportunity to express my love.  Life is far from easy.  Yet, life is full of blessings, often disguised as expressions of love…