b'Communication with my siblings is especially impor-PHOTO: MIKE BIZELLItant because I live so far away, says Brother Charleswho lives in San Antonio and serves in formationministry. I have to rely on them, so its importantwe stay on a good footing. Because his father is alone for the first time after60 years of marriage, Brother Charles is making extraeffort to stay in touch. Sometimes we use a video-calling service, such as FaceTime, to stay connected,he says.Faith is also something that helps him stay close tohis father.We share a prayer every night after wetalk, a tip I learned from Brother Jesse. Its become aspecial time for us. Our faith also helps us deal withthe loss of my mother, says Brother Charles.He adds, I try to talk with my dad every day becausesomeday I wont be able to call him.Cherish every moment Two years ago, Father Tom Frenchs 90-year-old mother,Margaret, died. His father, William, had died severalyears earlier from cancer when Father Tom was just13, leaving his mother to raise five kids on her own.She was a very strong woman and educated all of us,making sure we got college degrees, says Father Tom.His fathers death drew the family together. I amreally close with my siblings, says Father Tom. Sowhen his mother became ill while living in a retirementcommunity in Maryland, the French children ralliedto support her and one another. My siblings were my greatest support, also mynieces and nephews, and the people in the parish,says Father Tom, who is pastor of Our Lady of thePillar parish in St. Louis. But it was in relating funny momentsthe ups anddowns of eldercarewith his Marianist brotherswhere he found a special kind of support. Sharinghumorous stories, even the ones in which our parentsare driving us crazy, helped enormously, he says.Looking back at his mothers passing, Father Tomoffers this advice: Cherish every moment because itgoes by fast. Thats why I tried to go home as muchas I could and make myself available. I consciously Father Tom French, SM, shares a family portrait and photos of hisworked at it. mother, Margaret, who died two years ago.Losing his mother is still a fresh memory. I thinkof her every day while Im at work or in prayer, hesays. Everyday things remind me of her. These arespecial moments, and I believe thats where you findGodin these moments of grace.marianist.com/donate 13'