"Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Oh-o-o, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble. Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"
--Negro Spiritual, sung each year at our parish Lenten Pageant
The Children's Living Stations of the Cross at our local parish are as anticipated a part of our Lenten season as ashes, palm, and purple. We are blessed with a director who truly loves the project and participants, treating all the children under her direction with infinite kindness and care.
This year, eleven-year-old Theresa was especially excited, musing more than once, "Wouldn't it be great if they asked me to play the Blessed Mother?"
"If they do, you will play the role perfectly," I told her with frank mother's admiration, adding, "but please do not be disappointed if they don't!"
"Oh, I won't," she assured me stoutly, "I'll be happy with whatever part I get."
The evening of the first practice rolled around with a flurry of snowflakes and flutter of anticipation. By the time we arrived, the three younger children were dozing in their carseats, and I decided to wait outside, giving one last instruction to the girls: "Please keep an eye on Marie, and, whatever you do, remember we are team players. Be happy with any parts you get, and make them the best they can be." With nods of assent, my four young actresses took off, and I spent a quiet hour jotting ideas in my journal, praying part of a Rosary, and wondering how the girls were making out.
Before long, four figures emerged from the church. Theresa and Margaret, beaming with excitement, raced ahead of the others to the car. "I'm playing the Blessed Mother!" Margaret announced in joy mingled with a note of amazement, adding, "Can you believe it, Mom?" Theresa looked perfectly happy, chiming in with honest pride, "Isn't she going to be great?" I was glad for Margaret, but not a little surprised. She is only nine-years-old, and the part of Our Lady is usually reserved for a sixth grader. "Margaret, honey, that's fantastic," I assured her, still wondering how such a thing could have come about and scanning eleven-year-old Theresa's face for traces of disappointment. It was not long before a story unfolded.
When the girls first arrived, the director had greeted Theresa with the good news that *she* would be playing Our Lady. Theresa was overjoyed, but, within a few minutes, it became clear that this might not be a perfect arrangement. The Pageant did not have enough taller children signed up (and very few boys), and Theresa was the only one the right height to fit into the costume . . . of a soldier! The director asked her if she might switch parts, leaving nine-year-old Margaret as the next in line for the role of Mary. Remembering my admonition about being "team players" and glad to see her sister in the coveted role, Theresa cheerfully accepted this change of fortune, trading in the promise of a flowing blue mantle for a clanking coat of chain mail.
How can I reflect upon this unexpected turn of events? My little girl (no longer "little" in reality, but forever so to me) has shown what it is to go beyond talking about Lenten sacrifice and self-denial, and to live it out willingly and unflinchingly, in a spirit of obedience and love. The bud opens its first petals to reveal the color of the rose it will one day become.
I am looking forward to seeing Margaret play Our Lady, and my pride in her cannot be overstated, but you may be sure my camera will be clicking wildly to capture the pretty soldier standing tall behind the Cross.
Alice, this post just left me in happy tears. What a lovely story of sisterly and sacrificial love! Such an awe-inspiring garden of heavenly flowers you are cultivating at your Cottage!
Posted by: Mary | February 28, 2007 at 12:51 AM
It was hard to finish reading this beautiful post with the tears filling my eyes. This is the most touching story of true sacrifice I have this Lent.
Posted by: Louise | February 28, 2007 at 08:02 AM
Oh! I am also in tears! So beautiful!
Posted by: Theresa | February 28, 2007 at 08:17 AM
Tears here too! Your children have my utmost admiration, Alice!
Posted by: Amy | February 28, 2007 at 08:17 AM
I'm crying, too. What a sweet and beautiful soul. But, that doesn't surprise me, given the sweet and beautiful soul of her mother.
Posted by: Karen E. | February 28, 2007 at 08:20 AM
What a soldier! And truly playing the role of our Lady.
Posted by: Suzanne Temple | February 28, 2007 at 08:43 AM
I am also filled with tears. You must be so proud of your children. What a beautiful story!! Blessings,
Kirsten
Posted by: bfarmmom(Kirsten) | February 28, 2007 at 08:57 AM
Tears here as well. What lovely children you have. But should I be surprised when they have such a lovely mother?
Posted by: Carole | February 28, 2007 at 09:01 AM
Cryiny too,thanks again for sharing.
Posted by: Therese | February 28, 2007 at 09:03 AM
How could one read this and not shed a tear or two? I feel blessed just reading this. Hugs to you and your girls, Alice.
Posted by: Kelly Buffington | February 28, 2007 at 09:14 AM
Alice, you brought tears to my eyes as well. What a fine young lady Margaret is growing to be, which is to be expected in such a loving, nurturing household as yours. Congratulations to all the girls on their parts!
Posted by: janette | February 28, 2007 at 09:48 AM
And I cried, too. You're raising lovely young ladies.
Posted by: Beck | February 28, 2007 at 10:30 AM
I ditto every word written by Suzanne. What beautiful souls you are raising, Alice.
I'm going to have my girls read this post.
Team players! I LOVE IT!
Posted by: Cay in La. | February 28, 2007 at 10:51 AM
What a wonderful story and what blessings your daughters are to each other. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Lorri | February 28, 2007 at 11:21 AM
How sweet. You are doing such a beautiful job with them Alice.
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | February 28, 2007 at 11:42 AM
I can't even see the keyboard with my waterlogged eyes! Beautiful story Alice.
Posted by: Maryan | February 28, 2007 at 01:44 PM
How wonderful, wish we could be there to see it all!! A blessed Lent...
Posted by: Meredith | February 28, 2007 at 02:34 PM
Alice, I've thought so much about Theresa and her charitable heart today - she will certainly make a most loving soldier.
Posted by: Cheryl M. | February 28, 2007 at 05:29 PM
I'm not a bit surprised. She is as gracious and loving as she is beautiful. But then, so are you dear. Like mother like daughters.
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | February 28, 2007 at 07:48 PM
Tears here, too. This is so beautiful, Alice. Thank you so much for sharing it, and all these glimpses into the life of your family, with us. Do let Theresa know that she's done more good by this choice than she can see. I know my heart has been convicted by her selflessness.
Posted by: Layla | February 28, 2007 at 09:07 PM
So very, very beautiful, Alice!
Posted by: Maria | February 28, 2007 at 11:01 PM
A truly selfless girl you have raised. Beautiful.
Posted by: MaryM | February 28, 2007 at 11:56 PM
What a beautiful witness to your love, Alice! You should be proud!!
Posted by: Jennifer in TX | March 01, 2007 at 10:27 AM
I have to add my "beautiful!" to all the others here. Thank you for sharing this sweet story. God-willing, someday it would be lovely to meet you and your dear daughters!
Pax Christi,
Claire
~Phil 4:8~
Soli Deo Gloria!
Posted by: Claire | March 01, 2007 at 12:30 PM
So, so beautiful, Alice. How I desire this true love for my own girls as they grow!
Posted by: Kristen Laurence | March 02, 2007 at 12:17 AM
Ohh Alice, this makes me long even more for proximity to your family. Sounds like your beautiful daughters are just the dear friends my own daughters would cling to for life.
Posted by: Maria Ashwell | March 02, 2007 at 07:23 AM
Oh Alice, what a dear and lovely story. I can only imagine how our Blessed Mother must have smiled over your girls that day. :)
Posted by: Dawn | March 02, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Beautiful, Alice. Thank you for posting this story.
Posted by: Rebecca | March 08, 2007 at 11:38 PM
This brought tears to my eyes!
Posted by: Anne | March 17, 2007 at 02:34 PM