May is all about Mothers and wives. I can remember being in first grade in east Texas and being so proud to crown Mary the May Queen. Not sure I remember how I was chosen for such an auspicious honor but I’m certain I wasn’t worthy of it. Myself and a pretty little girl classmate piously walked up and placed the small plastic wreath of pink and white flowers on the concrete statue in the warm Texas sun. The class prayed a Hail Mary and that was that. Seems simple enough but the fact that I remember it nearly 50 years later attests that it was special….at least to me.
I also remember that Sister Raphael, our teacher, was one of the sweetest people I’d ever met. Lufkin, Texas was one of many different places we lived when we were growing up. It was (as were all the others) a pleasant stop along the journey. We attended Saint Patrick’s; a small parish and school and I made my First Holy Communion there. I remember Sister preparing us to receive the sacrament and First Reconciliation as well. Would that it were that easy now. Having a sweet little Franciscan nun to guide me to repentance would be a welcome asset at this stage in my life.
Crowning the May Queen, like so many of the Marian devotions is a pleasant and meaningful memory to me. For as long as I can recall, both the Blessed Virgin Mary and my biological mother have been present in my life. Both have held sway and I suspect both have cringed at some of my choices (parachute pants in the 80’s comes to mind) but to their credit, neither have given up on me.
Both were present at my wedding when my mom passed the torch to my new bride. In an instant, I now had three strong, female influences. As it turned out, just a few months after the wedding, I needed all three of them when I began receiving chemotherapy for the Cancer no one saw coming. Mary showed up immediately in the white plastic rosary I received from Sister Rosalie. She was a small, wobbly hospital nun with a heavy Irish accent who popped her head into my room daily during my stays at Saint Joseph’s in Savannah. Mom was there too. She quit her job and relocated her life each week to stay with me during the day while my lovely and longsuffering wife continued to work. Then my wife would come in from a 10-hour work day and spell mom from caring for me. I still owe mom about $5347 for all the gin-rummy games I lost to her while we were passing the time. I’m sure she cheated. I learned to pray the Rosary, how to lose gracefully at cards and how, according to the book of Sirach 26:1-4, “Blessed is the husband of a good wife.” I had the easy part. The docs gave me good meds and I slept a lot. My gloriously loving wife had to work full time and stay painfully awake, aware and watching through the whole mess. Saint Mary Mother of God help us. Had the tables been turned I doubt I’d have had the courage.
This month we’ll celebrate Mother’s Day, children will crown Mary the May Queen and memories will continue to be made. We’ll also celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on the 16th and complete the Easter season with the Feast of Pentecost on the 23rd. Moms and Mary and devoted wives will be part of all these. That’s what they do; they celebrate with us, they sustain and inspire us and to their great credit, they always love us. Be sure to tell yours that you love them right back.
The poem below was given to me a few years ago. It’s about Mary on the evening of Good Friday.
One Drop
Standing at the foot, they alone remained,
The others from sight the hillside had drained.
The Mother and apostle, her Sons so close
A single drop on the sleeve of her cloak.
She noticed not ‘til the sun was gone,
Now in the firelight the stain was shown.
Her mind fell deep into the dark red round,
Her memory traced the sight & sound.
Horror & misery, murder & grief,
A mother’s son, hung with thieves.
Mayhem & chaos assaulted her thoughts,
Her son was no more, her garment wrought.
Fire light flashed, from the droplet she’d returned
Back to herself, for her Son she yearned.
This small portion was all that remained,
A tiny red drop all salvation contained.
A single droplet, enough for us all,
Salvation for many from mankind’s fall.
His work “It is finished” as He took His leave,
But for the mark on a Mother’s sleeve.
Gaudete in Domino Semper!
