She’s been one of my heart favorites since she appeared early in the Covid crisis when the Mexican border became a hotbed of family separation.
I stayed home and sobbed through the news and painted.
She, who was a Red Madonna adventure, has about 40 coats of paint. Once, in her Elvira phase, she was, indeed, bright purple. Let’s just say it didn’t quite fit! Then, one day, my mask and I were wandering around my favorite collectible shop – it’s exercise! – and I spotted a garden statue. And I knew.
So, home to aged clay colors which, I’ll admit, felt better than the purple. Lots of practice shading and glazing. And then, I dreamed them.
She was sheltering all those weeping children from the news under her protection. And they appeared as prayer dots!
And then, I heard the voice. Walter Brueggemann…
Our job is believing for others on days when they can’t quite believe for themselves.
And, yes… I made more dots. Then, about two years ago, I looked at her one day and realized who she is! Mary Magdalene!!!
Yesterday, as you may know, was the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene. A time, for those of us who feel her leading us still, to celebrate. To light candles and pray. And, for me, to re-commit myself to believing for others when they can’t quite believe for themselves. That means more dots, for sure.
It also means a contribution to a local food bank on a day when a kind soul offered to quadruple all donations!
Today is going to be a bit more hectic than usual. An important Zoom call – about the Magdalene – with my Red Madonna friends. #Filters to lead. (It’s one-line being day!!! Trust me. It helps our brains be more creative!)
So, I fixed myself a cuppa and sat down to begin this while paint dried on the lion. (For real!)
She, our painting, hangs where she can watch over me as I write. I turned and looked up at her, as I’ve done millions of times and I saw something new!

Do you see it? The baby, inside her halo, watching over her… and me… and you, if you’d care to be included.
The obvious first question was… How could I not have seen it before???
The next question was… Why now?
And, as you may have guessed, I heard the answer in Walter’s voice... more help believing on those days we can’t quite believe for ourselves!
I’ll take it! And, gladly, share it!!!
For now, though… as I head back to Aslan and Matilda, my very challenging works-in-progress, here’s a tiny peek:

ps… the Legendary Husband, btw, said he’d never seen the baby before, either.
pps… a dear friend just gave me a panda drum. (Me, the one who’s still getting over a life-time of being told I was the most non-musical one in the family, ever!) Looking for summer camp music. You know, Joan Baez, James Taylor… Any hints???