A Garden Enclosed

Dear Diary

This morning, I pulled a book off the shelf that one of Sister’s nun friends had sent her in the mail. It’s called The Virgin Mother According to Theology, and it looked so old and full of meaning that I just had to open it. Sister saw me turning the pages and smiled, then said that Mini and I could certainly take it down to the cave whenever we wanted. So that’s just what we did.

I wrapped the book in my blue cardigan and carried it like it was something precious, which it is. Mini trotted ahead, ears bouncing, and we followed the path down to the sanctuary cave. The little stream was cool and trickling, and the grotto felt still and safe. I sat on the mossy rock and opened the book where the ribbon was tucked.

The words I read made me feel like I was standing in a church full of candles—even though I was just a farm girl in overalls with a corgi and a hen for best friends. The book said the Blessed Virgin Mary is greater than all the angels, more beautiful than the cherubim and seraphim. It said even the voice of angels isn’t enough to praise her the way she deserves. That made me feel sort of small—but not in a bad way. In a kind of loved way.

It called her a pure dove and the throne of God. A garden enclosed. A lily without a spot. A mother who brought the unfading rose of Jesus into the world. It said the angels once looked down on Eve but now glorify Mary because she lifted up what had fallen and opened Heaven again. And the more I read, the more I wanted to whisper thank you—to Mary, to God, to whoever thought to write those words down in the first place.

I held the book open in my lap and looked out at the water and trees and said, “Blessed Mother, I don’t know how to say all that fancy stuff, but I believe every word.” Mini laid her head on my knee like she agreed.

We walked back up before supper. Sister had made an egg sandwich with one of Omelette’s big brown eggs—plus mayonnaise and pickles, just the way I like it. I told Omelette she did good, and she gave me a proud little cluck.

Dear Blessed Mother,

I don’t have big words like the book today, but I love you with all my little heart.
Help me stay pure like your lily
and carry Jesus close inside me, even in small ways.

Bless Sister, and Mini, and Omelette too.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy