This Year, Call Your Mother: Seeking Solace Through Mary in Uncertainty
Preparing grapefruit for my children has become somewhat of a winter mindfulness practice for me. We save eating citrus, particularly grapefruits and oranges, until winter. My son boasts only a few teeth, but he really delights in the sweet, tangy juice of grapefruit. After several minutes of methodically slicing and squeezing so that he and his sister get only the soft flesh (and so Mama doesn’t have to monitor every single bite), what’s left behind is the skin, the pith and the rind. At the onset of Advent, I felt so much like those undesirable parts of the grapefruit: depleted and bitter.
I was in a confusing place. Where was my spiritual vigor? How long would it last? What about me would have to change (again)?
In moments of utter sadness, I envision myself curling up at the feet of Our Lady, not unlike the way my children wrap around my legs, and wrapping her dark mantle around my body so that I am completely hidden. In that darkness I am not alone, but consoled. When you’re in a dark place and aching to feel the warmth of light, moments of grace feel incredibly soothing, like sunshine after rain.
Tayler Crabb, @taylercrabb
One such unspeakably peaceful moment came when my husband and I prayed a Sunday morning Rosary and our one- and three-year olds curled up silently next to us, so that nothing could be heard except our intercessory prayers to Mama Mary. She answers when we call. She draws us closer to her Son. Our prayers finished. Chaos resumed. The grace lasted.
To the weary of heart, the downtrodden, to anyone thinking, How will I get through this day: Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counselor, wants to hold your hand. To each of us the worldover, He extends His hand and says:
“Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!” (Mark 5:41-42)
Meet Samantha Spigos
Samantha Spigos is a mother to two, a wife, a gardener, and a knitter. She is devoted to mornings, coffee any time of day, and praying the Divine Mercy chaplet. Her goals are to knit everyone she loves a wool sweater, visit a salty body of water every year, and sainthood for her entire family. For occasional notes on everything herein, visit her at downhomeblog.com.