Today Sister Mary Claire and I worked on planting the little dwarf Alberta spruce she bought at Christmas. We put it by the cave entrance, high above the creek water where the ground is safe, with rich fertile silt left there long, long ago. I thought it was just the perfect place for it. Someday it may look like a little green guard standing at the door of the cave.
Shaggycoat was given very strict instructions to leave it alone. Sister made a hoop of chicken wire around it, just to help him remember. He watched us in a very serious way, as if he wanted to be part of the planting too, but we told him this was one bit of cave business he must not touch.
By evening I sat down quietly and copied the German version of St. Bernard’s Memorare. I worked slowly by lamplight, trying to make each word neat, and at the same time I was working on memorizing it too. The German sounds so different from the English prayer I already know by heart, but somehow it still feels the same inside, like Our Lady understands the love in it no matter what language it is said in. Sister Mary Claire said that was a lovely thing to notice, and I thought so too.
It felt like such a peaceful ending to the day, with the little spruce planted at the cave and the prayer spread out before me in my notebook. It truly seemed like a little light at the end of the day.
A Little Light at the End of the Day
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that it has never been known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was ever left unaided.
With that trust in my heart, I come to you now.
I hurry to you like a child, and I stand before you, knowing I am weak, but hoping you will help me.
O dear Mother, please do not turn away from me.
Listen kindly to my little prayer, and hear me as I call to you from this world that can sometimes feel sad.
Help me in all my needs, now and always, and most of all when I need you the most.
O loving,
O gentle,
O sweet Mother Mary, stay close to me.
Amen.
O gentle,
O sweet Mother Mary, stay close to me.
Amen.
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