Mother of Tears

Giovanni Battista Salvi da Sassoferrato

When I met her the first time, I did not have the impression that she was exceptional. The only thing that struck me was her sweet disposition and constant smile. She seemed without problems: happy marriage, nine living, healthy children, a normal life.

I saw her almost every morning at Holy Mass. When I got to know her better, I found that under her sweet smile a strong woman hid. She had overcome many trials, some of them very difficult.

Sure, she had a beautiful family, united and apparently without problems; but who would have known how much this cost her? How many tears she shed, when her husband had left her in Mexico with three small children in order to look for work in the United States!

"I felt like a widow," she said one day. "Then I decided to join him. Everyone called me crazy." They asked, "What will you do? He doesn't even have a house. What will you do with these three little ones?" She just replied, "I have to go. I must go. My place is with my husband; We will fight this together, and together find the strength to  keep going."

And so it went. The family was reunited. But how much suffering! Tears, and more tears. But she always found the courage to smile at her children - first three, then four, five, six.... nine. She made her husband feel that riches weren't the whole of life. The most important thing for the children (ant them) was love and education.

Everyday, after working in the houses of the rich and returning to her humble home, she had her children sit near her and taught them simple prayers and read from the Bible. Then, when her husband returned, they ate a frugal meal and put the children to bed. At this point she would have loved to talk to her husband, but more often than not she met a wall. He was tired, discouraged, frustrated. More tears - hidden behind a peaceful face.

The children grew and the problems multiplied. What happened to the times when they'd sit and listen to stories from their mom?

Each one took their own road: hurried and unhappy marriages, divorces, dubious relationships...and her husband always closed within himself, unable to open up to a healthy relationship.

Now, nothing is infinite, and the family reached a certain level of well-being. But it still had a ways to go, and she would be asked once again to wipe away her tears. One night her son called late at night, because he was in need. She replied, "Let me know what day you need it and I will find the money to pay." "Be patient, yes, I will talk to your father!"

Where did she find the strength to open her arms and heart to a son that married, divorced, married, and then had an affair (and children) with the first wife!?

She opened the door to her grandchildren, because they were not at fault. From this moment a real family was born from this strange union. Her heart accepted them with love, but not just any love, a love that had supernatural characteristics.

As I understood more of her life, I saw clearly where she found the strength to maintain erect with dignity in the middle of the storm: from She who was poor, humble, hidden, and suffering. She knew the misery of exile. She saw her son judged and mistreated. She accompanied her son even to the foot of the cross. May was her strength, comfort, and the source of her joy.

Every day she prayed the Rosary. First with all her children and sometimes her spouse. Now, it is only her - the sweet, strong woman.

A great serenity fills her, knowing with faith that

everything and everyone is in the hands of Mary.