This morning, Sr. Elaine pulled in the garage at our convent and I jumped out of the car and literally ran back over to St. Anne’s.

We three sisters had gone over to Mass at the local parish church since we don’t have Mass here today.

I don’t like the cold, and I spend as little time out in it as possible. I really dilike sitting town in a cold car with a skirt. (The fact that I often only wear knee-high stockings doesn’t help much.) For being a native “Minnesota girl,” Frosty and I don’t get along too well.

Thus it was that I hustled out of the garage and over to my workplace, which is only a couple hundred feet away from our convent.

I rushed in the door and hung up my heavy winter coat, catching a glimpse of one of our residents on her way to the nurse.

The two of us have something in common; she is Hispanic and I have studied Spanish. I’d like to “keep it up” but have little opportunity to do so. I do enjoy practicing my Spanish with others when the occasion presents itself, though it’s not as often as I’d like.

This morning, though, as I finished putting my jacket away for heading in for some breakfast, I spontaneously exclaimed to the above-mentioned lady: “¡Hace mucho frio!” (It is very cold!) She responded amiably and I went on my way for a bowl of hot cereal.

Being able to connect with people is so important! Finding a common ground and drawing them out is such a big part of our ministry here. Our residents may come here, feeling lonely and isolated; if we can show interest in them and get them interested in something, it can really help them on their way to leading a happy, healthy life once again.

Who knew that cold (frio) could have health benefits?