Prayer Time
With the advent of spring weather, I find myself spending most of the weekend outdoors. I kayak. I piddle around in my garden of gnomes, flowers and herbs. I lie on the sand of the beach and watch the clouds change shape and drift away. The sound of the sea soothes me. And I laze on the porch–wave to the neighbors, watch the birds at the feeders, and listen to an afternoon Mets game. Several squirrels live in the two ancient silver maples by the house. One in particular loves to sit in the birdbath and survey her domain. Near the birdbath is a statue of the Virgin Mary that the squirrel loves to use as a springboard. The statue usually topples over after a vigorous launch off her head.
Once or twice a weekend I need to go off the porch and kneel by the statue to set her upright. Though it has its roots in a comic scene, it is a reverent moment for me, holding the Blessed Mother, and setting her close to the flowers that frame her.
