we always had this portrait of our lady of perpetual help prominently displayed in our altar. it always felt that someone was looking after us.
as a child, it was more like someone on the lookout for me to make a mistake. someone forbidding, imposing. but then again, that’s probably because i was (a little) mischievous when i was young.
attending a catholic school though meant being closer to Mama Mary. for she was always one i would implore to help me out for even the most little of things. this can range from just asking for guidance for an ill-prepared exam (after a night of wasting time on tv), or simply that i can get a jeepney ride home, soon.
being an adult meant i got exposed to the more complex problems and invoking Mama Mary’s help has always calmed me. knowing that even if i do not get what i want, something always happens to make the problem resolve itself.
while most will argue that she cannot see or hear us, why go through the pretense of greeting her on her birthday. but to me, she has always been as real as my own mother. a constant in my life.
and most of the difficulties i have been through as well as the happy moments, Mama Mary has been there.
happy birthday Mama Mary! may i be as loving and patient and courageous as you have been in your life.
my take 