Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Day Five of Honoring Mary

On this day five of honoring Mary, I moved in a different direction and feature here a photo of my mother in the arms of her mother.  My grandmother's name was Marie Bottiglieri and I never had a chance to know her.  She was 33 when she died in 1933.  My mother was 13 years old when she lost her.

I've always felt a sort of attachment to my grandmother.  It's complicated by the fact that my mother's life would have been very different had she not died.  But, thinking on that, that difference would likely have sent my mother in another direction and I would have never been.
We truly are here at the will of chance.  My father was on the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor right next to the USS Arizona.  My grandmother died young.  A death nine years before a random chance of death that ended up in life for my father, finally brought the two of them together in 1946.  And, here I am.

I like to think that my grandmother, Marie, was devoted to Our Lady and that she was called home early so that the greater plan of me and my own children would be accomplished as chance played out its part in the destinies of my parents.

For more of honoring Mary, please click here.

6 comments:

Hettienne Grobler said...

A gorgeous photograph. Such is the mysterious ways of the love of Our Lady for this world and indeed, now you can shine the light of your love for Her onto others. Your grandmother was named for Her (Marie). Thanks for participating.

Miss Robyn said...

sometimes, it is like Mother Mary is leading us all to our destinys.

Ginny Hartzler said...

What a very special picture. I know that life seems like things happen by chance and on a whim, but I believe God sees and knows it all and nothing can happen that He doesn't want. Thinking any other way is cause to make me depressed...

Annie Jeffries said...

I actually very much agree with you, Ginny. God has a hand in all things but our free will certainly has an effect on things. My grandmother's death could not be helped. Pearl Harbor? Well, I see man's free will and God's will very much in opposition there. His heart must have been terribly broken that day.

sandy said...

That photo is beautiful.

My mother also lost her mother early - she was only 3 when it happened. I too, have wondered how my mother's life would have been different had her mother lived longer.

I like your post.

Jeanie said...

Annie, this post is a treasure, that photo even more so. I loved stepping into your world and your family. Thank you.