Blessed

Dad said, "he bought me these kittens because I am one of his five kittens".

 

They found a home in front of the sliding glass doors  leading to the balcony. When I saw these "kittens", my first "thought" was "she" will love these.

 

The cross with the double rings is from my grandparents' 50th anniversary party that was held on December 1st, 1978. My grandfather was a "Gallagher" and he left this world on November 27th, 1980 while my grandmother was a "Boland" who left this world July 30th, 1990. I am grateful that I had my grandparents until my 20th then 30th birthday. They were an enormous part of my upbringing. Mom gave me this frame then she gave me this stature.

 

When I saw this stature, tears swelled up in my eyes because this stature represents my grandmother's death in 1990. Mom told me this stature was in my grandmother's casket. I never knew that. What I did know was there were four statures that were on the four corners of grandmom's casket. I was with my mom when she picked out the casket upon the death of my grandmother. I recall my mom saying, "this will be my last gift to her" and purchased the beautiful casket with its art work. The four corners of the casket had the statures as part of the structure whereas there was a separate fifth stature inside the casket itself.

 

The Grieving  Blessed Mother holding her son upon her lap. I believe it is a sign from heaven that I recognized this stature at this time just 23 years after my grandmother's death. I know she watches me from heaven and I know she loved the Blessed Mother. As a mother of sons especially one son who struggles, I believe the Blessed Mother has a special place in her heart for me. There was a time when I asked the question, "why me"? Now I ask the question, "why not me"? I will not be the first nor the last mother on this earth who has felt pain. 

 

I had a close and loving relationship with my grandparents especially my grandmother. As my mother gave me this stature, I felt the love in her heart for me. How could I have ever doubted the love she and my Dad have for me?

 

The stature has a place in my China Cabinet this evening.