Happy feast of Our Lady of the Rosary!
While I have not been as consistent with praying the daily rosary recently, I still have a devotion to it. The rosary has played an important part of my previous two pregnancies with Shiloh and Jesse.
When I realized I was pregnant with both babies, I got a birthstone rosary for each baby based on their due date, so I could pray with it during pregnancy and later give it to them when they were old enough to pray with it themselves.
While I was waiting for an ultrasound to see if Jesse had grown, I saw a post by @saintandstone that stuck with me. It said, “In times of darkness, holding the rosary is like holding Mary’s hand.”
When I started bleeding and went to the doctor for an answer, I wrapped the Rosary around my wrist and held onto it, praying in the waiting room.
When I got the news that Jesse hadn’t grown at all, and had most likely passed away, I held onto the Rosary and envisioned handing my baby over to Mary’s care.
Now I think of the dream I had of Our Lady of Guadalupe holding onto a Rosary, that is acting as an umbilical cord for an unborn baby. At the time, that image meant something different to me.
Isn’t it amazing how life experiences changes the way we see things? When I look at that image now, I see Mary as the caretaker and provider for Jesse and all the unborn babies that have passed away.
I admit after everything this year, I am going on a bit of a faith journey. But one thing that has stayed constant and that I keep returning to is the Rosary. It brings me peace knowing that I have one with me (I always pack one in my purse) and helps me feel closer to Mary which in turn helps me feel closer to God.
Mary has been holding my hand this year. And she wants to hold your hand too. When you feel ready, go ahead and take hold of your Rosary and pray! I promise she will be there holding your hand through it
