07 July 2011

A Grandmother in Rome

While visiting the Pantheon I came across this statue of St. Anne with her young daughter, Mary, who later gave birth to Jesus. The statue with all the pomp and circumstance of this church (as it is now) and the myriad religious doctrines surrounding Anne and Mary,  portrays an ordinary and affectionate scene. I found it compelling and it struck me not from a religious point of view but from a grandmother's point of view.  Anne became the grandmother of Jesus. I'd never thought of her that way before.




It got me thinking that behind even the holiest or most famous person is a grandmother or two. A grandmother who wants what is best for her grandchild, who cooks for and cuddles that grandchild, plays with, reads to, teaches, laughs with and encourages that grandchild, thinks that her grandchild has rare abilities and gifts and can become a great and important person. Hopes, at least, for her grandchild's full unfolding as a person. We know how her grandson turned out, his pivotal role in history, his enormous influence through the ages. We can only speculate about her role in the early life of Jesus since she isn't mentioned in the gospels and was already older when she had Mary. She was at the very least the model of mothering for Mary.

I spent more time with this obscure statue than any of the better known others since it seemed so personal and spoke to me of my unique and important role in the lives of my grandchildren. Like Anne in the statue, I'm unaware of my grandchildren's future.  They will walk their own paths in response to their own callings. But I love their mother and father, love them and stay involved in their lives telling them stories of their ancestors, cheering them on and believing in their possibilities. Just like St. Anne.

Who's inspiring you these days?

22 comments:

  1. Inspiring me? You are - among others. I have GOT to see Rome. Added to the Bucket List.

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  2. Yes, this is one saint we should be better acquainted with. My mother loved St.Anne,made novenas to her, gave me a middle name in her honor, all because of this personal and human connection she felt with her.
    Thanks, Mary, for sharing this beautiful piece.

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  3. Lou, Thanks! You'll love it and bring your camera!

    Rosaria, Anne was my mother's middle name but I never thought of St. Anne as a grandmother until I saw this statue. It's hard to see but her hand on Mary's head was quite delicate for being in stone.

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  4. This truly was a post to make me think. I am at my daughter's house as I read this. My grandchildren are going through a rough time as their parents go through a divorce. I am well aware of my role in their lives at this time more than any other. I needed your words of inspiration and wisdom. Thank you from one grandmother to another.

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  5. Sally, You're welcome. We inspire each other as well as our grands. Bless their hearts as they inevitably break. Your presence, your constancy, your being there for them is part of their healing.

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  6. That's so beautiful, the way you connected to the eternal grandmother energy!

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  7. St. Anne is the patron saint of my former MIL. So she is one of my favorites. As is her daughter....

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  8. Lou took the words right out of my mouth. Your posts are often inspiring. And just look at all the people you are inspiring to travel to Italy. You're good, Lady!

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  9. Lauren, Inspiration all around.

    Patti, What a lovely thing to say- thanks.

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  10. What a beautiful statue and a lovely inspiring post for us grandmothers. Thank you ...

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  11. TB, Grandmothers need inspiration too!

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  12. It's really nice when you find something that speaks to you in a personal way. Thanks for sharing some grandmotherly inspiration.

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  13. Nancy, We inspire each other in this blogosphere. Thanks for being part of that!

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  14. I never thought about it this way. What a thought-provoking post, Mary. YOU truly are inspiring, in so many ways. I'll be considering this one for a long time to come. Thank you.

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  15. Thanks, Lisa. That goes both ways!

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  16. very cool...i hope to one day visit rome...and i had never thought about the grandmother as well...very nice...glad goddess sent me over...

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  17. Brian, Thanks for stopping by- you're welcome indeed. As for Rome, it's an amazing city and a must see on multiple levels.

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  18. I feel chills reading this, Mary. I've never felt anything in my life the way I feel this developing grandmotherhood I find myself in. It's beautiful to contemplate the grandmother of Jesus, something I hadn't thought about either. Truly, there is so much hope and anticipation looking forward toward this new life, and all that shapes a person. Who will she be? What will he teach me? What will our relationship be like? Thank you so much for adding this intriguing layer to my already rich landscape in which to explore this new role.

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  19. This was very thoughtfully written, Mary. I am very aware that I will probably not have much influence in my grandchildren's lives unless we move closer to be more actively involved with them. It is so true the best thing I can do is be involved with their parents lives as much as possible and make their way as parents easier .

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  20. You are with this post! Love it. As a grandmother, I could totally relate.

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  21. Ruth, I'm so pleased this post spoke to you. It sounds like you're ready and eager for this role which is already starting in your heart as it readies itself for a relationship with your granddaughter. She'll be lucky to have you in her life in this unique role of grandmother. And you will be fortunate to learn from her and expand in ways you can't even imagine. It's quite a dance this dance of life.

    Pat, Distance makes relationships more challenging and calls for creativity to maintain closeness. Might be a good post to ask what long-distance grandmothers do to accomplish this.

    Nancy, How blessed we are to have these grands in our lives.

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