“The last day before Lent is a weird mix of happiness and sadness. We say goodbye to the joys of winter. We look forward to the coming of Easter. Perhaps the people who keep this day the most wildly are the ones who intend to keep lent the most seriously.

Another task during Carnival was eating up of Lents forbidden foods.

For over a thousand years, most Christians kept Lent by not eating animal products. It’s unusual that a custom would be kept by Christians in both the East and West but that’s how important this tradition was. it probably began out of necessity. The coming warm weather would spoil foods in storage. Also, late winter and early spring are the animals birthing season. By not eating animal products at this time of year, people helped a new generation get off to a healthy start.

Christians thought that by not eating animal products during Lent, they could better resemble Noah and his family aboard the ark. They could help prepare the world for a new creation.

At Carnival all meat, butter, cheese and eggs got used up in a final feast before the Lenten fast. Making pancakes and donuts uses up a lot of these ingredients. In some countries the last day before Lent is called “Doughnut Day” or “Pancake Day”. The Irish call it “Ash Eve”. The French call it Mardi Gras, which means Fat Tuesday.

In Venice, at midnight on Ash Wednesday Eve, a straw figure named Carnivale, whose body has been stuffed with fireworks, is burned in a fire in Saint Marks Plaza. In some places last year‘s Palm Sunday branches are burned with an effigy of old man winter, and so Lent’s ashes get made at the same time that winter burns up.” Companion to the Calendar

However we celebrate today, let us also keep in mind and prayer our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.

 “Remember that a wish can take you anywhere- and half the fun is reaching for a star. Your dreams were made to soar; let your spirit dance in every waking moment. Every day comes bearing gifts; hold each promise in your hands. Within you is your very own universe. A bit of stardust is blowing your way-a bit of light and a bit of wonder. Follow your leanings; listen to the whispers of your soul.”Linda E. Knight

God is always within our dreams.

“In your joyous moments, He basks in your praise, thanks, and laughter. When circumstances seem unjust, He hears your pleas. In your times of meditative contemplation, He listens and inspires. when life has dealt a low blow and grief is your constant companion, your cries wrench His heart.

And in those times when you cannot speak, even then God hears your voice.” Cindy B. Stevens

“Use these keys to help unlock any door:

Truth… When you’re honest with yourself and others, you can avoid misunderstandings and save yourself a lot of time.

Patience… Whether you possess it naturally or have to develop it, you need it. It’s a quiet kind of confidence and a reward worth the wait.

Prayer… This is the great balancer. It’s our direct line to God that connects us with His spirit. It is the key to His kingdom. It humbles us and keeps us strong.

Love… It’s the greatest commandment: love God, everyone, and yourself. Faith works by it, and happiness is a result of it. Love makes your life more beautiful.

If you rely on these keys, they will give you the guidance you need to unlock any door.”Donna Fargo

God has gifted us with every one of these keys. Each one of us decides whether we will use them or not…

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. Gratitude makes things right. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. It can turn an existence into a real life, and disconnected situations into important and beneficial lessons. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Melody Beattie

Gratitude can really turn our life around. Each day, let us stop and thank God for the gift of life.