Thank You Mama Mary

My daughter Caroline decided to attend university in Leeds, UK. When she shared this news with me, I ran to the Catholic Church in Leeds, got down on my knees, and prayed for my baby girl and for my heart. 

Did I do enough as her mother? Is she ready for college? How can I help her if something happens and she is in the UK?  All these worries flooded my soul… Still on my knees I opened my eyes and looked up, and there right in front of me was a statue of Our Blessed Mother with her arms stretched towards me… she spoke to my heart… nurturing, loving, all present, and strong! I heard her say… “I’ve got her”… I AM her Mother and I will protect her, guide her and hold her close!

Our Blessed Mother saw my heart, saw my worry and washed it clean with her grace and omnipotent love! She is everywhere -all the time- and she is the ultimate mother! I am safe to let my baby girl go because Mama Mary’s got her! I realize that I am simply her momentary mother during this short lifetime with my limited capacity, although my love for my children knows no limits. Our Blessed Mother carries our children when we cannot.  I am grateful and I remain in awe of the supernatural peace this truth brings me.  Thank you, Mama Mary!

My Peace…My Pieces

There are a few Blessing Bracelets that I never take off! Why? Because I feel connected and grounded as I wear them. I feel the love that calms me and comfort in times of building anxiety.  Each piece has a story, and each one reminds me of a love or a prayer that connects me to my friends and family.

I wear a purple silver Blessing Bracelet in memory of my dear friend’s son and also for my 16 year old friend Katherine who is seeking a cure for her ALS. I wear a black silver Blessing Bracelet in unity with my husband in prayer for our marriage and for all marriages. I wear a tan Scapular Bracelet as a tangible reminder of my pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Medjugorje. I wear a Blessings in Faith in the spirit of community with our entire My Saint My Hero sisterhood and brotherhood of faith. I wear a taupe Breathe Bracelet as a prayer partner with Caroline. Goodness, I know this sounds like a lot… however I also wear a Chain Breathe Bracelet to pray for all our pieces made in China and lastly I am wearing our new Peace Link Bracelet in prayer for an end to human trafficking. 

That is my Litany of Prayer that I wear on my arm! —Amy