A reader, Jan, emailed to ask me about the medal that I always wear.
Would you like to hear its story?
It all began with the girl in this photo—a lovely young lady named Guillemette.
You know how that’s pronounced, right? Because it would kill me if you pronounced my friend’s name wrong. It’s Ghee-ya-mette, with a hard “g” as in “great”.
Guillemette. My dear friend from France.
She was my buddy at the college in Kansas—this was the year following my big conversion—who invited me to stay with her family. They live in a castle near Lyons, and altogether I spent a total of one year with them. (Six months in 1990, and six months in 1994, when I went back to do my student-teaching.)
Guillemette’s the reason I speak French, bien sûr, and one could logically argue that she is the reason for my marriage, because…
- If I hadn’t learned the language, I wouldn’t have minored in French when I went back to school;
- If I hadn’t minored in French, I wouldn’t have been a part-time counselor at a language camp in Bemidji;
- If I hadn’t been a counselor at the language camp in Bemidji; I wouldn’t have met my best friend Sarah;
- If I hadn’t met my best friend Sarah, I would have never been her maid of honor;
- And if I hadn’t have been her maid of honor, I would have never met that handsome (albeit lowly) usher, John, whom I was to marry one year later (to the day).
Isn’t it funny how it all works out?
In any case, I had always admired Guillemette’s gold medals, and asked her where she’d gotten them. She bought them in Florence, Italy, she said—in a little shop on the one of the bridges that crosses the river Arno. She even drew a map for me, which came in handy when I visited Florence. I found the shop and bought a medal!
A medal I could call my own.
I chose for the image The Madonna of the Streets, because this has always been one of my favorite images of Mary. I love the way that she’s clutching her infant Savior—the way that he’s sleeping so peacefully against her, and the way that her eyes convey both her faith and her fear.
That’s the way I see it, anyway.
It’s a spiritual journey we all have to take.
I have had this medal for over fifteen years—the medal and its chain—and I wear it every single day. (Okay, not every day, because there are days that require my string of pearls and that’s a different story.)
Still. Little did I know when I bought this necklace that it would steer me through six births and four miscarriages. It would be my daily inspiration, and it would become my reminder to hold these little ones close.
These days, like their youth, are fleeting.
Absolutely beautiful story! And that has to be one of my all-time favorite pictures of Our Lady as well. So beautiful! Wish I could find one like that too…
Love your medal, and its history makes it so much more special, doesn't it? Tres bien.
Love your story and all the connections!! I have a question about finding chains for medals and crosses that are durable for girls around oh, say 7 who might possibly drive their mothers crazy feeling and tugging necklaces. A certain sweet child sized crucifix my dd was given by a dear family friend has been rescued after less than 2 weeks wear but alas, the dainty chain did not survive. Do you have somewhere you order and have had success?? I could see where a trip to Florence might be out of reach this week 🙂
Beautiful story!
What a wonderful story! I, too, have a medal that I've worn everyday for more than 20 years – a four-way medal that my parents gave me when I was just a girl. I can't imagine getting through my day without it!
By the way, the bokeh in that first picture is to die for!!
Wonderful story, Margaret!
That is my favorite image of the Blessed Virgin. I have it hanging on my living room wall, and it is on the face of my watch! +JMJ+
Margaret that was a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing the story and photo.! What a pretty medal. I am definitely inspired and on the search for a medal of my own. A small daily inspiration and reminder. I wonder if that shop is still in Florence? I just may try to find it this summer.
~Jan
Great story; love the medal! I love the Madonna of the Streets, too. She's beautiful and trusting, and the Infant has total trust in her, too.
This is my favorite Madonna too. I also struggle with fertility. I only have one daughter, 2 miscarriages. This is the first post I saw you mention college in KS though, I went to Benedictine in Atchison, was that where you went?
Teresa
Beautiful story!
Wonderful post, Mararet. I thought it fun to learn that you met your husband and married him one year to the day later. I did the same thing! I also love to think about: what if I hadn't done such and such. God bless you!!
I love the medal and would love to buy my two daughters one each. We are going to Florence in October – any chance you still have the directions to the shop??? Beatiful pictures as always.
Joolz
My sister sent me here, since you mentioned French Camp! Hooray for Lac du Bois! I was tweeker in 93 and a credit in 94. One of my favorite places in the world!