Giving Away Mary

I went into the cafe at the end of my street this morning to get cup of coffee and a scone and the owner complimented me on my bracelet, an inexpensive elastic thing made of copper colored beads interspersed with a variety of Mary (Jesus' mom) charms.

I bought about 20 of them in three versions at the Gem and Jewelry show last December; I have but three left because I keep giving them to people who seem to connect with them. Most are Catholic. I'm sure they symbolize something somewhat different to them than they do to me, but that's okay.

The bracelets and another small red coral one I wear with them (it's kind of an east meets west thing) remind me that I don't have to be of this world, i.e., I don't have to participate in any ugliness going on around me. I can be kind and good and helpful. Even when everyone else is acting out. Especially then.

So when the owner complimented me, on it I gave it to her and its mate to her niece, who also works at the shop. It made them very happy.

Me, too.