Today is the Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of Little Things. And let's face it, it's mostly the little things that get us down on a day to day basis. Yeah, it's a Catholic thing but even my Jewish friend, Iris, asks St. Anthony to find what she's lost. And several of my Protestant friends have intimated to me that they find him interesting - "I mean I couldn't find that damn will 'til my neighbor told me to ask St. Anthony." That is his major mojo - he finds our stuff. Follow me to find the rest of the diary.
As a legal secretary/paralegal for over 40 years, I can't tell you how many documents or original exhibits I've lost over the years - lost, misplaced, put in wrong file - whatever. The heart still beats fast, the pulse still races - because as any legal staff member knows: The fate of the lawfirm and the legal profession hinges on that lost exhibit (or so the lawyers tell us). So, for many years I have had several conversations with St. Anthony every week. Indeed, it is almost embarrassing. "I know you are sick and tired of me, but I can't find that damn promissory note. Where the heck could I have put it? Look, I'm taking a break now and when I come back I know you'll lead me to it." Okay, nothing so dramatic as the original note sitting on my desk when I return but invariably a thought comes to mind. "Hey, did I leave it in the Xerox machine last night?" While running to the 34th floor xerox room I kept up my end of the conversation. "I promise if it's there, I won't ask for anything for at least a week." Huff, puff, it's there - sitting on top of the cabinet with blank xerox paper. Oh dear Jesus, thank you - and you too Tony, thank you.
Variations of this scene have played throughout my life, including among other things, lost documents, money, warranties, car keys, house keys, passports, dogs, cats (although we do a duo here - St. Anthony and St. Francis)- and all the miscellany we drag around in our lifespans. And - I swear - he has never let me down.
I love the city of Padua, Italy - it is one of my favorite Italian cities. There is a church dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. In that church on one wall are crutches, photos of horrific car accidents, eye patches, even a partial motorcycle and all with thank you notes to Tony. So hey, he does big stuff too.
Hope my Protestant and Buddhist and Taoist, Agnostic, Atheists, Wiccan fellow Kossacks are not annoyed with this diary - it's just a little thank you note to a force in my life - to the guy in charge of little things - many thanks and Happy Feast Day, Tony.