This post is the first of a three post series.

It was the spring of 1965 and my mother was inside our second story apartment, tending to my 3 younger siblings. My older sister Debbie (5) and I (4)were outside playing alone. My mother had boundaries we were not allowed to cross when playing unsupervised outside. One of which was we were not allowed to go beyond the end of the dirt lane that led to the farmers house. The gate to his property was our stopping point. We always dutifully abided by our mothers rules and regulations.

On this particular day, we were skipping up the farmers’ lane and for reasons unknown, we decided to explore beyond the gate. We frolicked to the left where a grove of trees were sitting a top a hill that was once a ski resort. I remember feeling free as we ran underneath the trees, out of sight of our mothers’ watchful gaze. It was a beautiful spring afternoon with the limitless expanse of a blue sky hovering above and watching over us. It was liberating and exciting to be so carefree.

Then again, for reasons unknown, I got separated from my sister. I will never forget the tree I was standing under when I realized I was alone. It mesmerized me, as I looked up at the beautiful white flowers blooming on it and the deep red hue that encompassed the middle of the flowers. The air was heavily scented with the freshness of spring and the alluring aroma of flowers. Even now, over 50 years removed from that moment in time, I can still feel the magnetic presence of the tree.

Then it was as if the whole world stood still for a moment. It felt like the winds died down, the birds quieted themselves and all God's creatures stood in reverent attention for what was about to take place. A deeply poignant moment was about to be revealed to me and I was wholly unprepared for it. There was a gathering silence around me. It definitely caught me off guard. While looking up at the flowers on the tree, I felt a profoundly intimate, formidable presence engulf the space behind me. I knew intrinsically, at 4 years old, that I had felt the presence of the Virgin Mary!

Holy...Mother...of...God!

(To Be Continued)