There's no doubt in my mind, women are special

By Mary Regina Morrell

"There's a woman at the beginning of all great things." Alphonse de Lamartine

Several months ago I wrote a column for a special friend, Pat G., who, for the past several years has prayed me through serious emotional and physical trials. Today, in her typical boundless generosity and thoughtfulness she gave me a gift that finally firmed up for me a lesson that has been a long time in coming - women are special.

This morning when I walked into my office there perched in my chair was a lovely framed picture of the ocean, waves rolling blissfully onto the shore. Written around the border were the words, Mary Regina, Your favorite peaceful place!

Then there she was, standing in my doorway with that lovely smile on her face and I embraced her with great affection, not just because of the gift - that is not unusual for her - but because I was so very grateful that she was not afraid to love, and that I was one of the blessed recipients of such a treasure.

As I hung up the picture on the wall which I use for special meditation images, I realized that the picture I was taking down to make room for my new image was also a gift from one of my dearest friends, Joan. The picture was one of my favorites, two toddler angels, one kissing the other on the cheek. The Scripture quote below it reads, "Be kind to one another...." I thought about how much that quote was a part of who Joan was, how often she had reached out to me in selfless love and kindness, often at great expense to herself, and made my life blessed in innumerable ways.

I took stock of the mementos in my office that reflected the great generosity and self-giving of the women in my life, most especially my mother who was deeply loving and devoted to her family, as well as my aunts and cousins who were all made from the same mold. Memories of countless gestures of love and friendship, stories of incredible self-giving for their families and friends, and even strangers, flooded my mind and I was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the amazing gift of women.

And then there is Mary, our Blessed Mother. For years I did not recognize the exceptional nature of the woman who gave herself to Love - her extraordinary surrender to God, her acceptance of Divine Love and the magnitude of the joy and suffering such acceptance would incur. I had read about her, prayed for her intercession, been taught about her in religious instructions, but never did I really feel the love and admiration I should have for her until I truly acknowledged the greatness of the women around me, though most would never admit it, or even believe it to be so.

And while it is true, my father taught me many things, and for the most part formed my spirituality, the heart that I carry is my mother's - devoted to her family, generous beyond measure and, in spite of many weaknesses, knowing full well that the only thing that matters in this life is love, and how well we do it. And if I could tell my mother one thing today it would be this: "No one could have done a better job than you."

Now that I am grown up, almost, and when I reflect deeply on the strength and loving hearts of the women I have known I understand better a beautiful thought I had read when I was young. It was in a book of poetry and correspondence of Emily Dickenson, and read, "If a nightingale sings with her breast against a thorn, why not we?"

Most of the women who have touched my life seem to instinctively share in the heart of Christ, able to find joy in the pain, strength in the wounding and hope to go on. What a friend we have in Jesus -- and women.

Contact

Diocese of Metuchen
http://www.diometuchen.org NJ, US
Mary Regina Morrell - Associate Director, Office of Religious Education, 732 562-1990

Email

mmorrell@diometuchen.org

Keywords

women

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