ALIVE: Chapter 95 Growing Up Holy

Anna woke up earlier than usual that morning, before the dawn, but try as she did, she couldn’t fall back to sleep so she got out of bed, lit her oil lamp, grabbed a pillow and went over to her chair covering her legs with the small woolen blanket, and sat comfortably and quietly. She thought of how Mary had blossomed over the years. She was still such a quiet and pensive child. The temple mother had watched over her so well, to make sure she learned the psalms and the law. Then Anna tried to recall the lessons little Mary had told her on their last visit.

 In her quiet hallowed home Anna filled her soul with worship. The bitter taste of the absence of her precious child had been supplanted by thick sweet honey knowing how well Mary was cared for. The Lord must have a reason in Mary’s own life for separating her from her natural mother, and giving her another mother, all the while knowing how very much Anna, as far away as she was, loved her. For truly Anna loved Mary and the Lord, more, much more than she cared for herself. How else could she endure the loneliness? It was true that the teachers in the temple could fill her young mind and heart with so much more peace and beauty than she could have in the world with its conflicts and demands. Anna contemplated what a life of service to God, of learning, and uninterrupted love and service to the Lord would be like. Pure gold.

 “Thank you Lord, for this moment.” In the candlelit darkness Anna’s soul, like rising bread-dough gradually, mysteriously, filled with gratitude. She whispered so as not to waken Joachim, “Blessed be God, and blessed be all his holy angels. May His holy name be blessed throughout all the ages. Though He afflicted me with childlessness, He has had mercy upon me. Now I have given to Him of what He gave me. My heart rejoices in Him. May He be glorified through the ages and may my daughter, His daughter, glorify Him all the days of her life, to sit in His temple and behold the wonders of His mysteries.” Anna wondered if perhaps her daughter would someday marry and give birth to a prophet. But she abruptly stopped that line of thinking. God will do what He wants and it is not up to me, thought Anna, ashamed to even entertain such thoughts.

Joachim’s louder snoring arrested her frivolous thoughts and pulled her back into the chilly room. Then his breathing sounded labored and Anna began to worry. He was getting old, she could see how he walked with a limp and was hunching over. Joachim had been such a strong young man, and now he is ripening like a soft sweet pear that has lost its grit.

The snoring stopped. Anna decided that her mind was wandering too much, so she tried to sit without words and watch the sun ever so gradually fill her room with light.

Peaceful silence was broken again by Joachim’s snoring, and since it was daybreak Anna stood up to start a fire and boil water.

As she went about the home tidying up and preparing breakfast Anna noticed that Joachim was sleeping much later than usual, but she didn’t want to wake him up, as she figured that he needed the sleep. He was close to his 80th year. How quickly the years had passed. She could barely remember their life before Mary, so much had the child filled their hearts and consciousness. Since they left her in Jerusalem they lived from visit to visit savoring the anticipation, and then the memories. How she had blossomed in the temple. How many years had it been? Anna struggled so to remember that she had to sit down and think hard. Of course she remember that Mary was only three, but how old was she now? A bird then perched itself on her window sill looking for the breadcrumbs that Anna often left there. She smiled at her little feathered friend, glad for someone else to feed. As she went to her breadbox to sweep the crumbs for the bird, she thought of king David and how it angered the Lord when he counted the soldiers in his army. What do the years mean anyway? Silly me. What does time mean to God? Come little bird, here is your breakfast. Just as she set the crumbs on the sill she heard Joachim rise. And so her day was to begin again.

Joachim entered the room his long white hair all messed up and bedclothes rumpled and asked, “When is it that we are going to visit Mary? I forgot.”

Anna smiled at her old man. “Good morning! In a few days, after Shabbat my dear. Now wash up. What would you like for breakfast?”

That was a joke because every morning for their sixty years together as one, Joachim sipped his cup of mountain tea and ate two rusks and an egg for breakfast. In season he also ate a few figs. As she scurried around the kitchen space Anna thought about the rhythm of the repetition of the days, how morning follows morning as if there is only one that never ends. How her life had taken a turn; she never could have anticipated these quiet days when she was a young girl like her Mary, but with sisters. How she missed her sisters Zoia and Mary. Perhaps one day they could meet her in Jerusalem to visit Mary. Perhaps their daughters Elizabeth and Salome would come too, maybe at Passover. Enough thinking, she thought.

“Joachim, your breakfast is on the table my love, come.”

Joachim shuffled into the room and sat down. “Anna, do we have honey? I think I want some this morning.”

“Yes dear, remember last month Moishe brought us a jar from his farm. I will get it.”

“Anna, I dreamed about my mother and father again last night. This time I was a boy out in the fields looking for snakes and both of my parents were calling me as if I was lost and they were desperate to find me. I could see them but they couldn’t see me.  I called back but they couldn’t hear me, and then their voices turned into Mary calling for me, I tried to holler to tell her where I was, but sound didn’t come out of my mouth, I couldn’t even hear myself, and then I woke up. I don’t feel well Anna.”

“You will be fine Joachim. We will go to see Mary soon and you will perk up.” Anna said that, but as she looked at her husband, she noticed another degree of weakness in him.

Joachim’s blue eyes grew wet and hazy as he stared into the air. “Yes. I will see Mary and feel better.”

“Perhaps you should go visit your shepherds this morning. It’s been several days, and I will finish making this dress for her soon. Okay?”

After eating his breakfast Joachim left the house without thinking to say good bye to Anna so deep in thought was he. Instead of going to his field, he was drawn to hike up the nearby mountain to hear God as Moses did.

 He only made it part of the way and found a ledge that he decided would have to suffice. Sitting on the ledge he surveyed the valley beneath him and the sheep and cows grazing. The sun was rising higher in the cloudless sky beating its rays down on him to warm his old bones. So tired from climbing was he that he laid down on the warm rock and closed his eyes. He soon dozed off. When he opened his eyes again the sun was already past high noon. He was in the middle state between asleep and awake. The quiet of the mountain pleased Joachim. He was still lying on the rock gazing at the sky when he heard words. He couldn’t discern whether the sound came into his ears from outside or up through his heart; it was a very distinct message. Joachim heard, “Your seed will deliver your soul from Sheol and you will live with Me forever.” The message was short and clear, but he had no conception of what it could mean?

 Joachim sat up alert for more words that didn’t come. He surveyed the valley beneath him and then mustered the energy to descend. While making his way back down Joachim could not forget the message, neither could he meditate about what it meant while searching for a stable place to land each foot lest he fall with no one to hear his cries.

As for the strange message, Joachim wanted the right time and place to think about it. Descending the mountain was more difficult than the climb. He was continually trying to keep from sliding on the dusty earth and falling, even with the aid of his walking stick. The hot sun made him feel dizzy. He needed water. “Oh this old carcass, how long must I endure your feebleness?” said Joachim to himself. If Joachim had been aware of his guardian angel helping him every step of the way, he wouldn’t have been so anxious. When he reached the foot of the mountain, he didn’t even pause, but went straight to the well for refreshing water.

After quenching his thirst Joachim walked over to the temple to sit before going home.

Inside, the temple was dark and cool and empty. The young men were out in the fields or at their work in the village.

While sitting in the cool room he got the sense it would not be long before he would join his parents in Sheol. The vale between life and death was becoming more opaque, to the point that he couldn’t remember who was still alive and who had passed on of his friends and relatives. His mother and father visited him more frequently. They weren’t always memories or dreams, their visits were something else. He felt their presence. Are they coming to take him?

He wondered whether this next visit to Mary would be his last. As he walked home Joachim looked down at the dusty hard ground and for the first time regarded the earth as his true home, where his old bones would rest until the earth is no more. He felt no fear. He was grateful for his life, and for his wife and daughter, and he prayed in thoughts that the Lord would care well for them in his absence. Yes, sending Mary to the temple, as much as it grieved him and still does, Joachim knew that the separation was right. That Anna was wise to give her up.  Her precious life would not be changed when he died. Hopefully their love for each other would be as strong, if not stronger in his absence. Perhaps he would still be able to visit her and watch over her. But Anna. Oh my Anna, all these years....

 With that thought Joachim found himself at his front door again.

 “You have been gone all day! Are you okay my dear? Come inside and let me feed you. Let’s wash our hands together. Supper is ready.”

Joachim smiled at how oblivious she was to the reality that he had been facing. He wanted it that way. Let the Lord prepare her as He did himself.

Finally, the day came when Joachim and Anna were to take their journey to Jerusalem and to the big Temple to visit their little girl. She was just ten years old. Every time they went she looked so different. She grew so fast. And yet she was still the same pensive sweet Mary they gave birth to and they loved with all their hearts and souls. Now that sweet child was being filled with knowledge of the Lord, of the psalms, and of the law. They were so impressed by her depth and her humility for such a young person. They wondered what they would find, how much Mary will have blossomed this time.

 Perched on their own camels in the caravan it was impossible to speak but Joachim had so much to say to Anna. It was difficult for him to stay upright on the camel. He was worried that he wouldn’t be able to make the trip again. Without visits to Mary he was as already dead.

While bobbing up and down on the camel, Joachim was reminded of the message by his extreme thirst like that of that day on the mountain. But this time he had a skin of water with him. He just needed the caravan to stop so he could take a drink. Still thirsty he spent the hollow time of travel thinking about the message of his seed and deliverance. He didn’t dare tell the priest, or any priest of the great temple for fear of being stricken down and sharply reprimanded for entertaining heretical notions. Instead, he wanted tell Anna. She wouldn’t chide him, and she might even be willing to talk about it with him. He wondered what she would think of it. No. He changed his mind. It was too strange, too boastful to even imagine such a thing. He had better not fill her mind with such notion of eternal life, whatever that meant. Besides, they only had one child, and a girl at that. No. He would keep the message to himself. If it was true that his soul could be delivered from Sheol, then he would be patient and wait, yes wait in hope that it is true, but he would tell no one.

At that moment the leader of the caravan rang his bell to indicate that they could stop and rest and drink their water. Joachim rolled off the donkey as an old man or a child would. But he landed on his feet and went straight for the skin of water, lifted it to his parched mouth and took five large swallows.

“You must have been might thirsty!” exclaimed Anna. “My turn.” And she reached her hand out for the water skin.

“I was.” replied Joachim handing her the pouch which was much lighter. “How much farther before we stop for the night?”

This had been the most difficult of all the trips the elderly couple had taken during the seven years that Mary lived in the temple. They tried to come often, every few months, but even Anna wondered how Joachim could make it. Perhaps, she thought, they should move to Jerusalem to be near her and if permitted, they could visit more often.  Anna kept this idea in her heart to discuss at the right time with Joachim.

When they finally arrived after the most arduous journey and settled in the room of the boarding house that had become so familiar, Joachim went directly to the bed and slept without even washing the dust off his body.

Meanwhile, Anna unpacked and left Joachim to sleep while she walked round the marketplace. It felt good to be off the camel and to stretch her legs.

The following morning the couple woke up together and quickly dressed to not waste a moment before being with their daughter.

Mary ran straight to her father and gave him a long hug. Tears whelled up in his old blue eyes, that he shut to feel her youth and her beauty and her joy. How she loved her father. He wasn’t worthy of such love. How could he be? Nevertheless, if it was the love of God that poured through this lovely young girl, then it was the strength of love itself, and that, he could accept. That love has a substance of its own, its own power, it’s own reality beyond the human heart, but is it a power that is as another of Gods creations, or is it a spit of God’s own essence?

As he observed Mary and Anna chatting cheerfully Joachim looked at his daughter and sensed that she would carry the whole world on her shoulders. How could this possibly be? He looked at his adorable ten year old, at the brink of her passage out of childhood and wondered if this notion was a gift, or was it perhaps a prophecy? He shook his head ruffling his white hair to rid himself of such speculations. Mary look curiously at her father. “What is it papa? Are you alright? May I get you something?”

“I am fine my darling. It is so good to be here with you. Tell me what you learned this week.”

 “Well!” replied Mary merrily, let me show you what I did! I’ll be right back!” She ran to her bed and opened the chest at the foot of the bed, found her embroidery and pull it out, messing the rest of the items to tidy up later. Then she ran back to her papa and showed him the most colorful embroidered cloth. “See! I did this all myself!”

“Anna looked on admiring her daughter’s handiwork and said, “I am sure that I couldn’t do any better!”

“Thank you mama. Papa do you like it?”

“Of course I do my dear. I have never seen such a colorful design. It looks like a field of summer flowers. How long did it take you to make this?”

“Oh! I’m not even finished yet. I want to give it to my friend Ruth who is an orphan. I’m her mother!”

Anna and Joachim smiled at each other and then looked over at Mary. Anna said, “How kind of you. Is Ruth a little girl like you were when you first arrived?”

“No mama,” replied Mary, she is much older and she is about to leave and be married, but she still needs a mother, and I will always be her mother.”

ALIVE: Chapter 94 The First Day

November 21st marked the day that Joachim and Anna will never forget. It was the day they left their baby girl at the temple to be raised by others. The first week was by far the most difficult. It was as if their precious little girl had left her spirit behind. As she went about her chores Anna kept feeling that Mary was simply in the other room, so accustomed she was to the presence of her baby. When she went to prepare her meals, she no longer needed to be mindful of what Mary liked to eat. Even her breasts swelled and ached although she had tried to wean her toddler gradually, and only nursed at bedtime, so reluctant was she to separate from her precious child. Every such thought was another little arrow that pierced her heart. But with every arrow, Anna fought back by praising the Lord for the years they had, and for the ability to visit.

 As difficult as the first weeks were for Anna, Joachim may have been even more sorrowful for this little girl was truly the light of his life. He often mused that there was something very special about her, perhaps that she reminded him of his own mother in a strange way, the look of admiration she caste on him with her striking eyes, or the shape of her smile. No, it wasn’t physical, he thought, it was something else. Joachim said to himself that surely all fathers must think this of their little girls, but he couldn’t stop thinking that this baby, this gift of God, was the most blessed, most glorious little girl in all the world, perhaps of all time. Oh, shameful to say, even in thoughts to himself, but he loved her and she loved her daddy so very much. It broke his heart to be away from her, to only have the memories of cuddling with her in the family bed. There was one day when he held her as an infant and she was so still in his arms, so very still. She was not asleep, but a sensation of deep and blessed peace fell upon him. She radiated peace into his soul. That moment was seared into his mind so that he could still feel it, even now, even miles of years away from that moment.  He who had never known how profound it would be to be a father, relished the role as protector and teacher, provider and guide. No one in the world looked up to him as did this little person. He had loved to have her sit on his lap, and he would tell her stories from his own boyhood. She listened so intently as if she needed to know every aspect of who her papa was and about his own childhood. Joachim knew those days were over, so prematurely and so abruptly. As if in an instant he felt that he had been devalued and devoid of the joy of his life. Joachim was ashamed before God for having these feelings. He slowly became resolved to this new chapter in his life, to looking forward to their visits. What could he bring her?

On her first night in the temple the house mother knew that little Mary needed comforting. She was a lovely and brave little girl, quiet and curious. She didn’t even cry when her parents left as so many of the children do, but this little girl humbly accepted the separation. Observing the new little girl at supper, wearing the expression of one who was as displaced as she was, she decided to mother her as her own. Oh yes, as a house mother she had through the years so many girls pass through the hallowed door of the temple. Some boisterous, some quiet, some mischievous, other cooperative, but this new little girl, just past her babyhood, with no siblings, and elderly parents was unique in some inexplicable way. Mary was unusually pensive for such a small child. She wanted to build an attachment so that Mary would be content in her new home with her new sisters and her new mother.

 “Mary, after supper, I’d like you to come to my apartment, okay? Ruth, please show her where it is.”

 “Yes, mam.” said the sweet slightly scared child.

 Ruth looked down at Mary to comfort her and cheer her up, because she had perceived that the child’s countenance had fallen again, she added very cheerfully, “Oh Mary, how lucky you are to be able to visit mother’s apartment so soon! You will love mother; she is so kind, and her apartment is so cozy. What a treat!”

 Mary looked up and smiled, “Okay.” and then returned to her plate of bread and fish, and hummus.

 When they were finished eating, the house mother stood followed by the girls around the long table. They bowed their heads to hear mother thanking God for his bounty and asking that they serve Him and worship Him well with their health and strength. When she finished the thanksgiving prayer, the girls added “Amen” and chanted a hymn with their lovely soprano voices. Moments of holy silence followed as each girl gave a personal prayer. Ruth broke the silence to say, “Come Mary, let’s go.” Obediently and somewhat stoically the reserved little girl followed the big girl out of the dining room and through a series of corridors until they reached a wide carved wooden door in the corner of the temple dormitories.

Ruth knocked gently on mother’s door. But there was no answer as mother hadn’t yet arrived from the dining hall, so the girls sat on the floor beside the door and waited for her.

“How long have you lived here Ruth?” asked Mary timidly. “Where are you from?”

“I was born in Jerusalem. My parents came here from Galilee to find work. My mother died of a terrible sickness when I was seven years old and my father couldn’t take care of me so he sent me here, but then last year he died too.” Drawn back into her anguish Ruth hesitated to say anything more.

Mary became very sad too, but grateful that her parents were still alive, and she could see them again. Mary scooted closer to Ruth and worked her way into the big girl’s lap. Ruth received her with a hug, and then Mary said the strangest thing. She said, “I will be your mother.” Ruth smiled at the little doll, hugged her back and replied, “That’s a deal! But don’t scold me too much!” The girls giggled together and then heard mother’s footsteps walking down the corridor.

“Hello girls, thank you Ruth. You may go to sewing class now. “Yes mam.” said Ruth with a curtsy and then a hug for Mary who tumbled out of her lap as she stood to leave. Ruth turned and disappeared into the long dark hall.

“Come inside darling.” said mother as she opened her door into a beautiful light-filled room with ornate carpets and comfortable-looking furniture. “This has been quite a day for you, hasn’t it? Would you like a fig?”

“No, thank you.”

“Please call me mother.”

At that, Mary was reminded of her mommy and the corners of her mouth dropped.

Mother noticed and said, “Let’s sit down together my dear and let me tell you a true story.”

Little Mary followed mother to her divan and climbed up to sit beside her. The two ladies faced each other, and mother began.

“Once upon a time a man named Elkanah had two wives. One wife had many children, but the other one had none. Her name was Hannah. Hannah was very sad. What made it worse was that the other wife was often mean to her because she was barren. One day they went to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to the Lord. Hannah begged God to give her a child.  She whispered, almost inaudibly, “O God of Israel, Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will set him before you as a Nazirite until the day of his death. He shall drink neither wine nor intoxicants, and no razor shall touch his head.”

When Eli, the priest, observed her mouth moving and heard no sound, he thought she looked as if she had had too much wine and scolded Hannah. She replied, “No, my Lord, I have had no wine, I am praying for a child.” And then she wept because she was so sad and desperate. Eli had compassion on poor Hannah and he promised her that God heard her prayer and that indeed after a year she would be with child. Hannah left the temple feeling content. Indeed, she gave birth to a beautiful baby boy whom she named Samuel, and whom she loved very much, just like your mother loves you!  Hannah was so very grateful that she said to husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him that he may appear in the presence of the Lord, and remain there forever; I will offer him a Nazirite for all time.”

Her husband agreed but said that she had to wait until after he stopped feeding from her breasts, just like you. So, when her precious little boy who was your age went to live at the temple with Eli and his sons, just like you!”

Mary was fascinated by the story and wanted to hear more. Mother sensed her interest and continued.

“One night, years after he went to live in the temple with Eli and his sons, little Samuel was in bed and he thought he heard the priest Eli call him, so he got up and went to see what he wanted. Eli replied that he didn’t call him and told him to go back to bed. Samuel went back to bed and heard his name called again. He got up again and went to Eli, but again, Eli told Samuel to go back to bed. For the third time he heard his name called and for the third time Samuel got out of bed and went to see what Eli wanted. This time Eli perceived that it was the Lord God who had been calling Samuel so Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went back to his bed, this time to hear what the Lord wanted to say to him.”

Mary’s eyes opened wide wondering what the Lord wanted to say to Samuel.

Mother went on. “The Lord told Samuel what would happen to Eli and his sons. It wasn’t good. The next morning Eli asked Samuel what God told him. Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the bad news, but Eli insisted, and Eli accepted the word from God. And that was the story of the child Samuel who became a great prophet of the Lord!”

Mother looked cheerfully at Mary whose face suddenly glowed with a big smile and rosy cheeks.

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel knew that Samuel was a trustworthy prophet of the Lord.

Our Lord used Samuel to appoint the king of Israel when the people demanded a king so they could be like their neighbors. Samuel, by the guidance of God selected King Saul, and then King David, your great great grandfather! You see my dear when the mother, like Hannah and your blessed mother gives her child to the Lord to be raised, it is very special because God needs and wants people here on earth to do His will and His work. It is a very great sacrifice for mommies and daddies to give their child, God knows this. He knows how much your daddy and mommy miss you and you miss them, and that sadness is turned to gold by the Lord, because it is the gold of Love and Trust and He blesses the mommy and the child.”

“Did God bless Hannah?”

“Yes, my dear, Hannah was blessed with many more children.”

“Did Samuel’s mommy and daddy visit him?”

“Yes, they went to visit him every year and brought him new clothes.”

“Will my mommy have more children too?”

“I don’t think so my dear. Your mommy is much older than Hannah was.”

“Will God use me to do something special for Him?”

“I can’t say Mary. That is not something to think about now. All we want to do here is to learn and love. Now are you ready for a fig?”

“Yes mother.”

Mother got up from the divan and walked over to her cupboard still thinking about the prophet Samuel and how difficult it must have been for him, and for this precious young child to be separated from their own mothers. As she reached for the bowl of sweet ripe figs a flash of light like a tiny lightning bolt zipped passed her eyes and vanished. At first this phenomenon startled her, but as the moments passed and nothing else happened, she quickly returned to select the largest juiciest fig for her new little daughter, and one for herself.

Mary had not seen the light. She was looking around the large room curiously. It was the most majestic room she had ever seen. In her precious young heart, sitting in mother’s room and hearing about Samuel, Mary got the first inkling that she belonged there and that it was okay to be separated from her parents. She looked over at mother walking towards her with a loving smile and the fig and felt a strange sense of peace. She was no longer sad nor scared.

“Come let’s eat them together. This one is called an egg-fig because it is the shape of an egg. Would you like me to peel it for you?”

“Yes please.” replied Mary.

As she was peeling, Mother said, “There are so many wonderful things you will learn here. We will teach you to sing and to sew, and to tell the stories of the Torah. There are so many stories that teach us about God’s s love for people and His plan for his people Israel.”

Mother looked down at the fig and over at the precious child in front of her and thought how little Mary, only three years old, was as pure and fresh as this ripe fig. A droplet of the white milk of the fig brought to mother’s mind Mary’s mother’s milk that so recently nourished the child with her self-sacrificing love and gratitude to her Lord. As she peeled away the tender green skin of nature, she uncovered the fleshy white layer as the look of the soft boiled egg, a symbol of new life, appeared and splitting it in half mother handed Mary one half at a time of the sweet juicy red flesh of the fig.  So, mother perceived in this child layer upon layer of delight, of discovery, and of life. She was so grateful to have the role as mother to so many young girls, some of them orphans, some from impoverished families, and of course from time to time, a child comes along who is given as a gift to God. The young ones were indeed the most precious and taught her the most about love and trust. Surely to be a child that loves, and trusts the Lord must be perfection.

Mary received the peeled fig and as she bit into thought it was the sweetest fig she had ever eaten in her whole life. “Mmmmm good!”

Mother nodded then slightly shook her head out of the daydream and smiled at the little girl whose whole demeanor had brightened. Mother knew at that moment that she had succeeded in welcoming the little lamb into her fold.

“Now Mary, when you finish your fig, let’s walk over to meet Lady Elizabeth who will teach you how to sew! Would you like that?”

“Okay. Can I come back and visit you again?”

“Oh yes, of course my dear child. I am your mother here. We will have many visits as you grow up. Now, let’s be off. I think Lady Elizabeth looks forward to meeting you.”

Mary took mother’s outstretched hand and together they walked out of the apartment while Mary wondered that perhaps she could be happy in this place even if her parents were far away. In a subliminal non-verbal flash the young child realized that she didn’t have to see her mommy and daddy to know how much they loved her and wanted God’s will, not their own, for her. And how maybe, God’s will was far better, bigger and richer than what she wanted, which was to live forever with her mommy and daddy in their little home in the village. It was a glimpse of the possibilities of life that the little child received with that visit; it was a door cracked open pouring sunlight into a dim corridor.

That night as mother lay in bed waiting for sleep to come, she was reminded of the flash of light she saw and she wondered about it. How it must have been uncreated light since it didn’t come from the sun or a candle. Was it a spit of the uncreated light of the first day? But where did it come from, and why? Perhaps it was a message from God. This had never happened before. Mother tried to silence her heart to listen for an explanation and soon fell asleep.

On Mary’s first night sleeping in the big dormitory surrounded by beds with other girls, she clutched her stuffed doll. Her mind was spinning from all the brand-new experiences of the day. Strangely, her little heart felt at peace. When she imagined going back to her village and her parent’s little home, it wasn’t with yearning at all. She felt that she had crossed a great chasm, maybe like the Red Sea, into a new big world. She thanked God in her heart for guiding her into His temple and then gently fell into a deep dreamless sleep. She thanked God too for her new mother. Her guardian angel smiled with pride and joy that the transition went so well. The angel too looked forward to the years ahead where the angel would shield this princess of God from the evils of the world, along with the mother and with the help of all the heavenly host angels, together they would see to that.