The Coffers of Grace

That picture says it all, doesn't it?

It happened a few days before Christmas (the 22d of December to be exact), but I hesitated to write a forlorn post just before the celebration of Our Savior's Birth. Here is my tale of woe:

Anyone who has been to our home cannot help but notice our statue of Our Lady of Fatima. Displayed in the most prominent corner of our family room, it has been our centerpiece, inspiring us through countless family rosaries, May Crownings, and First Holy Communions, a vivid reminder that the Mother of God is Queen of our Home and Hearts.

Every year, we make way for the Christmas Tree, temporarily reassigning our lovely statue to a less crowded room. She was in an odd spot on the floor awaiting the yearly move when Patrick bounded in from the living room. I was getting a few surprises ready for him and his sisters, so I said, "No, honey, don't look! These are meant to be a surprise." In his five-year-old simplicity, he decided to avoid seeing the surprises by hiding, hastily thrusting the couch forward in an effort to dash behind. It all happened in an instant, but the couch tipped into the statue, knocking it off balance. It felt as if I saw Our Lady falling in slow motion for ten minutes. I called out, "No!" but it was too late. Down she crashed with an unspeakable and sickening thud.

The girls streamed in from all directions, and Patrick looked dazed. Instantly, our jovial Christmas mood lied in ruins with our statue, and we stood dumbfounded, gazing upon the poor forlorn pieces in disbelief. A few of the girls began to sob, and I hastened to remind them that Our Lady was still with us, even if her image was beyond repair. They knew it already--that was plain--but it was the kind of comfort one gives to the victim of a flood who has just lost her wedding album. At least our dear Patrick was consoled when I assured him he had done nothing wrong, particularly because the poor boy was only trying to obey me.

Throughout that night and the next day, the optimist in me yearned to find some joy in this tale, but my thoughts seemed to fall flat. Grasping for something that would give meaning to the loss, I thought about Our Lady making way for her Son--she always steps aside for Him and would have gladly done so to help us prepare for Christmas--placing her new born Babe to the center where He belongs. Still, remembering the Mystery of the Assumption and knowing that Our Lord did not allow His mother's pure body to undergo corruption, a shattered statue seemed an imperfect symbol, at best. I pondered and sought, but my thoughts and and musings seemed in vain. We had a broken statue, and that was that.

Then, while reading late last night, I found this:

"God the Father gathered all the waters together and called them the seas or maria. He gathered all his grace together and called it Mary or Maria. The great God has a treasury or storehouse full of riches in which he has enclosed all that is beautiful, resplendent, rare and precious, even his own Son. This immense treasury is none other than Mary whom the saints call the 'treasury of the Lord.' From her fulness all men are made rich."

--St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin

It seemed St. Louis de Montfort was showing me how to think about this story. Our broken statue became the symbol of the Treasure that is Mary--abundant and bursting with graces for mankind--ready and waiting to be broken open so that she may dispense jewels and riches upon all those who ask. It may sound silly, but I began to see our battered statue as an earthly representation of the Heavenly Piggy Bank of Grace that is our beautiful Blessed Mother, and she seemed to be reminding us yet again (as she instructed the children at Fatima) that we must not neglect to ask for our share of the wealth.

*******
In spite of a hard landing on the brick fireplace surround, Our Lady's face and hands remained beautifully intact, and we will save them forever. Margaret begged, through tears, to be allowed to keep the hands and wrapped them lovingly in a flower-flecked piece of fabric. The rest of the pieces will be buried in our garden. A friend told me recently that St. Joseph of Cupertino, the reluctant saint, once broke a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but saved the head always. Perhaps he may become a family patron.

If you have a moment to look at some old photos, you will see a few memories of our statue. I purchased her for our very first May crowning (well, at least our first May Crowning with a crowd of friends) in 2001. The statue arrived the morning of the event, and, as you will see in the next two pictures, three year old Margaret was enamored of it. All while our guests sang hymns and processed with flowers, she stood transfixed in her blue flower-sprigged dress, unable to remove her gaze from Our Lady's face:

It was Theresa's turn to crown Our Lady that first year, and she managed beautifully.

Seeing our old living room brings a smile to my face, and I remember the theme for that first Crowning--To Jesus, Through Mary: Our Mother always leads us to Her Son:

Beginning with Agnes, our First Communicants have all crowned the statue directly after Mass. This photo shows Theresa (with dh) in May of 2003, the second of our three oldest girls to have the honor of crowning the statue on her First Communion Day:

Cottage Blessings readers will recognize this photo of our most recent May Altar:

And Our Lady was in the background during that expectant Mommy shot last Easter:

We have dozens of photos like this one, images snapped by the children with the digital camera. After all, if you get your hands on Mom's digital camera, why not photograph the most beautiful thing in the house?

Oh, and the story has a happy ending, friends, so do not feel too sorry for us. My mother immediately and insistently offered to replace the statue as a family Christmas gift. Theresa and I tried to purchase a new one this past weekend, but the face on the one in the store did not seem as beautifully painted as our cherished statue, and the new one seemed much smaller somehow. We decided not to bring it home just yet, but hopefully, we will be blessed to unveil a new beauty in time for May this year!

Comments

[Cay in La.]

Oh . This breaks my heart.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. These herilooms do become so much a part of our family.

Those pictures will be greatly cherished as much as the new Mary will be.

[GGenevieve]

Oh I am so sorry to hear about this. I am so glad that the statue has brought about so many wonderful memories while she has graced your home. I hope you will find another just as beautiful and special.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

My heart broke, along with this beautiful statue, to see that photo come up when I clicked on "Cottage Blessings" this morning. Oh, Alice!

And yet, like always, you handle it with faithfulness and grace. Statues can be replaced, but a trust such as yours is without price.

I am going to share this post with the children. It's a keeper. And fortunately for us mothers and our children, the treasures in our hearts cannot be "broken."

[Elizabeth H]

What a shame about that lovely statue and all its cherished memories! Thanks, though, for sharing some of them with us. The look on Margaret's face, in particular, is precious.

[Jennifer]

I'm so sorry Alice. This was beautifully written, perhaps you should print it and keep it with the treasured pieces you will keep.

[Cheryl]

Oh Alice, such very sad news. Hopefully your family will have another beautiful statue of Our Lady very soon.

[Carole]

Oh Alice, how sad. I am not sure that I could have handled this quite so gracefully as you did. What wonderful memories you have and the pictures to accompany them. It almost looks like a page or two in your scrapbook.

[Lissa]

Oh how those photos fill my heart with memories! One of those golden heads is mighty precious to me.

You know I am crushed about the statue being broken. That beautiful face is so much a part of my memories of your house. I remember when you brought her home, and I remember standing before her during many a quiet moment in the midst of our merry gatherings.

But how beautifully you see the good in a tragedy, Alice. And you are so right...who knows what grace those hands might bring, and that serene face? Who knows what hearts the pieces of your statue might touch in years to come?

[Rebecca]

Oh I am so sorry to see all of those pieces lying on the floor! How sad your family must have been, Alice. I think you have such a great perspective on the entire situation and I will look forward to seeing your new statue when you decide to bring her home.

[Michele Q.]

Oh Alice I am so sorry! We lost Our Lady of Grace statue last year in much the same way (though ours was through a boyish ruckus)and she was unsalvageable. We haven't had the funds to replace her though I feel a bit like my new door curtain has done that now.

[Beck]

What a sad and lovely post! You handled things so graciously and kindly though - something which will stay with your kids even longer.

[Lynn]

I know this is a sad happening but somehow this post just made me happy.
I think the transcendant grace and love of our holy Mother came through in your writing, Alice, and in the obvious love and unity of your family.

For what it's worth my own statue of Mary on my bedside table has been broken a few times by overly loving, chubby little hands. I wish I would have hidden my distress over the mishaps as well as you did :o)
Luckily I've been able to glue it back together since she broke in large pieces.
hugs and prayers,
Lynn

[Layla]

This was beautiful and moving, Alice. Thank you for being such a clear example of the sort of woman and mother I want to become.

As a college student, St. Joseph of Cupertino is one of my favorites. I can hardly say how much I owe him for his faithful intercession during midterms and finals. :)

[Julie in WI]

Oh how sad! I'm so sorry. You have such a beautiful way with words that even the saddest things are a joy to read. I look forward to seeing a picture of your new statue some day! In our house it is protocol to have at least 1 full crack in every statue but we manage to spare the faces.... God is merciful.

[Janette]

Alice, you are ever an inspiration. I have never known anyone who so diligently looks for the beauty in everything. I am sorry for your loss, and hope you find that longed for statue soon.

[Maria]

Oh Alice!

I love how you searched for meaning to find it in St. Louis Marie de Montfort!

What optimism!

Thank you for sharing...when Steve and I had just returned from our honeymoon we were moving furniture in our first home together and the Blessed Mother fell and broke...only her left hand however and I don't know how to have her fixed....any suggestions?

[Maria]

P.S. I grew up in Cupertino, CA and went to St. Joseph of Cupertino parish....:-)

[Donna Marie]

Oh Alice! My heart fell when I saw that photo....I am so sorry! We lost a statue this week but it was much easier to bear as it was rescued from the garbage and had many dings and pieces missing..we were going to have it fixed but she didn't make it.

We have the same Fatima statue as you..we got it at the Blue Army Shrine in Washington NJ. You don't by any chance need me to see if there is a nice one there for you?

{{{HUGS}}}to you and your dear children!

[Theresa]

Alice, I'm sorry you lost such a special part of your family and I hope that you are able to find a suitable replacement.

[Karen E.]

Oh, Alice, how beautifully and gracefully you've responded to and written about this! It's really inspirational, and I plan to share it with the girls.

[KC]

Oh, it broke my heart to see that first photo. This is a beautiful post. Those memories are so precious. I love all the photos. That statue really was beautiful. I wait with bated breath to see what the new one will look like.

[Cindy]

Alice -

What an inspiration you are to turn what surely was an incredibly sad moment into a beautiful reflection on our Mother and her love. I especially love the "Heavenly Piggy Bank of Grace"! I will remember that always.

[Kimberlee]

Oh, dear Alice. You so eloquently and generously share your joy and sorrow, your wisdom and grace - and we all love you for doing so. Thank you!

[AutumnRose]

I am so sorry your lovely statue broke, but I am glad you have gained some blessings out of the situation.

I do like your blog, btw!

AutumnRose xx

[Meredith]

Oh Alice, my heart breaks for you, what a beautiful story, you are so strong and practical, I'm truly inspired.

[Jane Ramsey]

Dear Alice,
I also have a treasured Our Lady of Fatima statue. It belonged to my beloved Aunt Pat. When she died last winter and I was asked it there was anything I wanted from her home, all I could think of was that statue! The face is so beautiful and loving.
I hope your new one will come to be just as treasured the one you lost!

[Margaret]

Oh Alice,
We too have a statue like this and I know how sad we would be should something happen to 'our Mary'. I am sad for all of you. But as always, your sweet spirit shines through in all circumstances. You yourself are such a reflection of Our Lady, and your children are a reflection of you. You are such a dear!

[Suzanne]

What a beautiful post, Alice. I'm so sorry this has happened. Your new Blessed Mother will have a wonderful wonderful home!

I've been catching up on my blog reading, and have especially enjoyed my visit at Cottage Blessings today. Thank you for your uplifting and gracious posts! Have a wonderful weekend.

[Rem]

So Sorry... that is truly beyonnd repair...im taking care of my statue now .

[Jules]

Alice even though I am not your friend or even in the same country as you, I enjoy reading your website and the things that happen here at your house. I am sadden to see your statue fell done and I am happy that you found a new one. Even though you got a new one have you ever thought of buying a nice our lady of fatima statue made in fatima. They have very beatiful faces and you might like it if the children enjoy looking at the statue. Go and search on google Futardo imports and they have a huge range of beatuiful stateus of ourlady.

[Jules]

Alice even though I am not your friend or even in the same country as you, I enjoy reading your website and the things that happen here at your house. I am sadden to see your statue fell done and I am happy that you found a new one. Even though you got a new one have you ever thought of buying a nice our lady of fatima statue made in fatima. They have very beatiful faces and you might like it if the children enjoy looking at the statue. Go and search on google Futardo imports and they have a huge range of beatuiful stateus of ourlady.