Stories from Jen

  Thursday, Jan. 20 Thursday is a sandwiched day of the week, plopped between Hump Day and Thank God It’s Friday.   It’s a day where you gut it out and get ‘er done so that Friday can happen and then the weekend shines, filled with opportunity and choice.   This pattern of naming the weekdays probably had its origins when people actually worked nine to five and had weekends off.   “Banker’s hours.”   The nicknames remain but Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays have been transformed from “Ahhhh. Let’s go out to eat” to “Look, here’s an open space in the calendar.”    Parents become taxi drivers and cheerleaders.   Teachers read, plan and create.   Pastors lead, proclaim and bless.   Retailers fashion, show and sell.    Chefs and wait staff set, prepare and serve.   Maintenance crews are on call to salt, sand, and clear. Etc. Etc. And then there’s Thursday.   The workhorse day.   The day that decisions are made, op...

  Prayers Gift-Giving God, continue to direct the decisions of those who surround us on this ship and who have become members in our small town called Insignia.   We are grateful for the gifts of Captain Kurilic, General Manager Lacroix, Cruise Director Carr, Executive chef Santoro, and Executive Concierge Fernandez.   We are grateful for the tireless service and smiles from our hostess and hostess Carolyn and Paul and from the 400 people from 52 countries who pamper us passengers.   (pause) Bless each person who dons a mask and whose eyes speak for the entire face.   Lord, in your mercy… Silence. Generous Jesus, we are still vibrating with the celebration of your birth and are beyond relieved that you love us enough to dwell in our midst—despite our human sinfulness.   Continue to forgive us when we DAILY forget about you.   Open our hearts to the needs of others before we consider our own. Thank you for the gift of family.   We ask that yo...