Dear Father Glenn,

Your words today awakened memories given and cherished by a beloved Brother. His songs are about love, friendship, and his best ones are about his relationships with those of the “club” you speak about today. There is one phrase from one of his songs entitled “ My Grandfather’s Eyeglasses” that I think mirrors what your little essay or meditation is “about: today: “…When he looked at me I was all I could be and everything he longed to see…”. God bless the men and women of the “Club” you speak about who have given us the quiet and humble witness and example that our spirits hunger for in our everyday life. May we cherish them. “All generations can call them blessed”. Thank you and let us continue to “pray without ceasing”.

How true, how true, how true! Fr Glenn, I'm referring to your column of July 29 and the over-80 club. Funny how I was just thinking about this the other day about my grandparents, but especially my grandmother. We're told today to become very familiar with the Bible (and I agree with that, by the way). But my Polish grandmother didn't do that, yet she had so much faith. She had her Polish prayer book, attended daily Mass as often as she was able to, even when walking became a problem for her. She was "saintly," but so was she practical. There was definitely balance between living life and the influence of her Catholic religion which she loved. With all her lack of education, she showed more wisdom than many very learned people in what you refer to as lessons like: “don’t complain,” “work hard,” “be thoughtful and generous,” “obey God,” and “pray always.” My mother, in turn, did her best by example to pass this on. How difficult it has become in this day and age to do that also by example as children attend college and move away from home and the influences of their home. Once again, you are right-on in your thinking. Thank you for that trip back. ...Nancy in Michigan