the Visitation and fireflies and summer time

On my way home tonight, I saw the first firefly of the summer.  It was all downhill delight from there, as numbers 2, 3, 4, and 5 shimmered in the waning daylight.  Fireflies are my favorite heralds of summer, because they hold magic in their unpredictable appearances.  They could very well be young stars that descended to the earth to dance on the breath of summer breezes so as not to miss this glorious time of the year in its' first precious days.  They spark memories of the last day of school countdowns of yore, the first swim of the summer, fluffy mountainous clouds resting on a canvas of forget-me-not blue, picnics, barbeques, lightning storms, cold beers with citrus twists, weddings, ice cream, longer days, warmer nights, country music, bare feet, long weekends, sunburns, new freckles, family reunions, family trips, sand castles, watermelons, flip-flops, floppy hats, fireworks, boat rides on the lake, and all that flavors summer with that sunny happiness totally unique to this, my most favorite time of year.  

We properly kicked it off with a few of the essentials off the above summer list: long weekend. Check.  

Picnic in a park exploding with green goodness with a dear friend and food that makes me feel like I could definitely make it as a hobbit.  Checks all around. 

when 2 non-type A personalities go on a picnic...

Watching happiness drip off Sophia during her first swim of the summer. Check. 

Cold beer with citrus twist and barbeque.  Check and Check.  

The gift of  the first long weekend of summer keeps on giving with a short week, which I always am so into.  And, to keep the gifts a-flowing, May has given its’ final gift on this, her last day with the perfect way to close out this special month dedicated to our Blessed Mother.  It is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Mother to Elizabeth. 

I love this Feast.  I mean, there isn’t really a Feast I’m not all about, but I have a special liking for any Feast that occurred in Jesus’ life on earth.  I love thinking of Mary making haste to visit her cousin, for she was so excited to know that the deep desire of her heart had been given her from the Loving hands of our Creator.  She wanted to help her, to congratulate her, to share this joy of the unborn babies they both were given to carry.  The beauty of these two women being the vessels of the Son of God, and His herald, St. John the Baptist, meeting in this quiet little place together to rejoice and help one another is something I think I could contemplate forever.  

photo courtesy of Christina in Israel

How none of the world took any notice while the Blessed Mother held inside of her the Body of our Savior, and Elizabeth carried the first martyr and proclaimer of Jesus, is so characteristic of the Humility of Christ, His Mother, and all saints.  The most important, universe changing event ever was, for a while, hidden in the womb of Mary and celebrated by a leap of an unborn child.  How mysterious our God is.  I believe that humility is the key to Love and living happily.  What proved God’s Love for us was His humility.  His willingness to become man, leave Heaven, and die a most agonizing, shameful, humiliating death, has shown us what love is.  


I’ll allow St.  Alphonsus de Liguori help me articulate this a lot better: “It is characteristic of humility to serve others.  Mary did not hesitate to go and help Elizabeth for three months.  Saint Bernard aptly remarks:  ‘Elizabeth wondered why Mary had come to visit her; but--what is still more remarkable--that she came not to be ministered to, but to minister.’...There can be no doubt, observes St. Gregory of Nyssa, that of all the virtues there is perhaps none more difficult for our nature to practice, tainted as it is by sin, than humility.  At the same time, we cannot evade this truth: We can be true children of Mary only if we are humble.  ‘If you cannot imitate the virginity of the Blessed Virgin,’ says Saint Bernard, ‘imitate her humility’”. 

June is here, summer is calling with promises of weddings, cold brews, dance floors, sunshine, waves, and lots and lots of fireflies.  Summer Magic is in the air, go catch some.