My father came from a very large family and had two aunts who were Catholic nuns. I believe they were Sisters of the Cross and Passion. I knew them as Aunt Arlene and Aunt Connie. They were full of love, laughter, and fun. They have both passed on, yet I often think about these good sisters in their good habits.

As a girl, it was a mystery to me why anyone would want to be a nun and wear that outfit. At the same time, family gatherings always felt extra special with their presence. Over the years, I’d come to appreciate their commitment and dedication to serving others and realized they lived beautifully in their own way. I wrote this little poem, Good Habits, on remembering how they loved to laugh and had fun with us. For some reason, it seemed appropriate to share it with you today. Time with them always brought a smile to my face. I hope this makes you smile.

Good Habits

Arlene and Connie were their names

Aunts to us but all the same

A calling to which they were devoted

I didn’t understand the motive

But knew that love and joy abound

When their presence was around  

Always fully dressed in black

A habit that was hard to crack

I wondered what was under there

Did they wear pink underwear

And then we always had a pool

And thought a swim would be real cool

To see what’s really underneath

The garments that completely sheathed

Black and white from toe to head

Did they wear those clothes to bed

We laughed and loved and shared the time

Come on in the waters fine

But they just smiled and kept me guessing

Just what’s under their special dressing