On June 1st, our lives were brightened with the holy Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. After months of quarantine, and postponement of our son’s Baptism, halted visits with our parents and extended family, more intimate birthday celebrations, our own family Easter celebration, watching Mass on the television, there was a light that shined and came forth in our lives. Our dear friend Jane brought Our Lady to us. We were so fortunate to be blessed with her presence.
We had her on the front porch of our home hoping others might be graced with her presence as well. When we brought her inside our home, I gathered the children around and we prayed the Rosary praying for all the intentions requested as well as for my dear father-in-law, George Edward. My oldest son, Michael, on his own, drew his picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe, while studying every shape on the Image. He was very enthralled with her.
The younger children colored from their Rosary coloring books. My littlest one crawled over to her. I was excited that my dad was able to come over to see her as well. He made sure to pray with us with Our Lady. It was his first time since quarantine that I believe he came into our house. It all was very special!
We shared and talked often about our experience with friends and family. On Our Lady’s very last Visitation in Long Island, New York, she picked us. My oldest son said to Jane that he would like to have her again. She could not deny a little boy’s request and graciously arranged for us to have her over again. This time was a bit different.
I had a dream that we should bring Our Lady to my in-law’s home. Nowadays, we only visit them with masks on and very carefully especially due to my father in law’s pancreatic cancer. And so, it was all happening. My husband picked up the Image and brought her over there and I drove separately with the kids. We set her up in their living room, and at the time, my father in law was upstairs resting. My oldest son drew another picture of Our Lady and was the first to kneel down in front of her and set the tone for the special evening.
Michael took my husband to the side, and asked quietly whether we could pray around Poppi while he was holding onto Mary. At dinner time, my son was a bit shy about it and we got the request out. Michael had this beautiful plan in his head and it was executed. My father in law held onto the Missionary Image, while we all prayed the Rosary for him. My mother in law joined us as well and it just brought a beautiful, moving experience for us all. We took our first family picture with my in-laws as it had been a long while since we had been really near physically to each other due to the pandemic. The blessings and graces we have from Our Lady are immense and we are forever grateful for this beautiful experience.
