Despite being a "recovering Catholic" for some 30-plus years and very comfortable with my choices around spirituality, there are some things one just doesn't mess with. Case in point - the statue of The Blessed Virgin Mary I discovered enshrined in my back yard when I moved into this home. A quick check with my predecessors confirmed their similar apprehensions with disposing of her. How does one just jettison an icon like The Saviour's mother? She doesn't exactly go quietly into the recycling bin. Hence, for the first few years, she maintained her place on the stump of the walnut tree where Doris (the little old lady who owned the place for a few generations before my forbears) had left her.
In the spring of 2006, however, as I was preparing to squander my annual bonus on new landscaping, it occurred to me that the workers on said project could surreptitiously remove Our Lady of the Back Yard along with the overgrown rhododendron trees, ubiquitous ivy branches and spindly old rose bushes. I would thus semi-legitimately duck responsibility for her disappearance and safely assume that whatever disposal occurred would be both tasteful and non-sacrilegious.
I mentioned my brilliant plan to my daughter, who very much supported the scheme. What neither of us anticipated were the protests from my then-four-year-old granddaughter, who was already beginning to assert herself into conversations we assumed were beyond her attention span or level of interest. We had also both forgotten that Vivi, who never quite grasped the religious connection, had always and affectionately referred to our garden blessedness as "Mary Ann." Not quite sure where the middle name came from, we didn't correct her; much as we never discouraged any of Vivi's most charming conventions. I.E., ATHernethy School (Abernethy), hosbibble (hospital), or lasterday (yesterday)
Thus, the impetus for Mary Ann' relocation to her current perch, where she continues as the phantom (or actual, depending on your beliefs) benefactress of the neighborhood. She rode the block-and-a-half to her new home in Vivi's back yard in a pint-sized red Radio Flyer wagon, where she holds reign today. And whether its the subliminal influence of the 190 holy cards stuffed in my Marian missal circa 1957 or the lore of my aunt placing a statue of the Infant of Prague face-backwards in her refrigerator until her petitions were answered, there's something comforting knowing Mary Ann is still safely on the job.
In the spring of 2006, however, as I was preparing to squander my annual bonus on new landscaping, it occurred to me that the workers on said project could surreptitiously remove Our Lady of the Back Yard along with the overgrown rhododendron trees, ubiquitous ivy branches and spindly old rose bushes. I would thus semi-legitimately duck responsibility for her disappearance and safely assume that whatever disposal occurred would be both tasteful and non-sacrilegious.
I mentioned my brilliant plan to my daughter, who very much supported the scheme. What neither of us anticipated were the protests from my then-four-year-old granddaughter, who was already beginning to assert herself into conversations we assumed were beyond her attention span or level of interest. We had also both forgotten that Vivi, who never quite grasped the religious connection, had always and affectionately referred to our garden blessedness as "Mary Ann." Not quite sure where the middle name came from, we didn't correct her; much as we never discouraged any of Vivi's most charming conventions. I.E., ATHernethy School (Abernethy), hosbibble (hospital), or lasterday (yesterday)
Thus, the impetus for Mary Ann' relocation to her current perch, where she continues as the phantom (or actual, depending on your beliefs) benefactress of the neighborhood. She rode the block-and-a-half to her new home in Vivi's back yard in a pint-sized red Radio Flyer wagon, where she holds reign today. And whether its the subliminal influence of the 190 holy cards stuffed in my Marian missal circa 1957 or the lore of my aunt placing a statue of the Infant of Prague face-backwards in her refrigerator until her petitions were answered, there's something comforting knowing Mary Ann is still safely on the job.
3 comments:
Ah, you figured out photos! Great to see the smiling faces (Mary, Vivi, it's all good to me). Hope you're well.
"Lasterday" is also one of Annie R's best one's too! Sarah's got a good one too...."Arm I?" for "Aren't I?". I also always loved it when Annie would say her tongue is "rusty" (we finally figured out it meant she was thirsty!)
Glad to hear that May Ann has a good home. I'm pretty sure you won't be punished for her travels :)
i love "mary ann"
she reminds me of grandma and all the "mary anns" she gave on the many first communions
she reminds me of our mothers and their great faith and the strengths it gave them
i cant help but think that your mother would feel that "mary ann" found vivi and that she is right where she was meant to be
maybe they were right dee--maybe some times things do happen in mysterious ways
Post a Comment