Remembering Mary

"When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:17-19

Last year when I was in Rome, I think I met Mary for the first time. Countless numbers of sculptures, portraits, frescoes featured her face. That is when I got her. I understood what a beautiful role model she could be... Holding Christ's dead body in her arms, wiping his brow, such trust in her life's purpose, such quiet beauty.
I was talking to friends last night about secrets, and how lovely it can be to keep at least one thing to yourself and not speak or utter the words of it out loud... I have realized that I'm the kind of person who can't keep anything to herself. I'm too open sometimes, I believe. But I am challenged by Mary to treasure up certain things that are revealed to me, and ponder them quietly in my heart and not blabber them out uncontrollably right out. It's a minor goal in my life, but I think it might help me grow...