Blessed Mother’s shining light

There are not many things that bring my heart as much comfort and joy as the combination of the Blessed Mother and what some might call “tacky” colored lights. Sitting on my older son’s bed early one morning, before school we (by “we” I mean me and some noises that would occasionally come from his mouth) were praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the dark and the presence of light and the Blessed Mother overwhelmed me with love.



Now this was NOT like the image at Mt. Tabor or a Medjugorje-type moment. His door was closed and on the back of it is a giant decal of Our Lady of Guadalupe that he bought at Family Dollar with my dad.  His room is trimmed in LED light strips that he controls remotely. He had the setting on pink which made her roses really brighten. It sent me into a wonderful reflection of all the times she eased my fears, prayed for me and reminded me in which direction I should go to meet her son.

Around 1990, I became very, very cool and so did my room. I had a black light bulb in the fan overhead, a sweet fiber optic tree, a wave machine and as many glow-in-the-dark stars as the night sky. All my troll dolls had luminous hair so they would “pop” when I flipped that switch, y’all. It was breathtaking. It was truly a happy spot for me. To accompany this decorative masterpiece I also had a collection of prayer cards freezer-taped to my wood paneling, tiny statues of saints and Mary, as well as a giant guardian angel picture over my door that was highlighted ever so lovely by my green lava lamp on the top shelf.

I was not the bravest kid so having Mary and my friends the saints glorified in iridescence was calming for me. Seeing Our Lady framed on the back of my son’s door, in the same way, brought a heartwarming nostalgia that moved me into deep gratitude. Borderline gaudy things that light up and Jesus have always been my thing. If we are going to look at Christmas fun in Large Marge I will celebrate the houses with the biggest half-burnt multicolored lights and hard plastic Nativity scenes that need a paint job most of all.
In hindsight, I have created these settings for my kids and several of my godchildren subconsciously, too. Do they enjoy them as much as I do, maybe? Am I pumped to give them presents like this? Absolutely!  My nephew’s St. Michael’s shield of faith is illuminated by a neon sign of his name. My husband’s godchild has a marquee letter “E” sign that gives her angel’s picture the Hollywood spotlight. I’ve smiled since that morning thinking of all the shiny things and Jesus prizes I have wrapped and gifted to our sweet youngins near and far.

I feel the adult version of this is now my Mary garden. I have a nook between my garage and front porch where I spend a lot of time tending to lilies and roses I have planted for our sweet mother. There is also a fountain and comfy rocker nearby perfect for praying. She and baby Jesus stand underneath a shrine made from reclaimed red barn wood. It’s my new happy spot as a grown woman.

During the spring I take pictures of each new bloom and at night the real reminiscent action happens. Wrapped around variegated English ivy and the grotto’s roof is a string of blue solar micro LED lights. It may be a bit lurid to some but it is magnificent to me. I went out there late one night recently and took a picture of her face with the sapphire glow in portrait mode on my phone like I was some kinda professional. My husband glared at me funny. I replied, “Don’t even look surprised, dude.” Y’all can bet ya money I’ll be in the old folks home asking CNAs to turn on my blue string lights until the hour of my death when she comes.

During the second week of the pandemic shutdown, I was four months pregnant and struggling to keep faith in all the uncertainty. We all were. I did not take it as an invitation to lean on our Lord. Everyone was encouraging people to make a spiritual Communion as much as possible. I prayed it often to no relief. I was also reminded by dear friends that me and my entire family were consecrated to the Blessed Mother and trusting in her intercession would be fruitful. I tried and remained anxious.

I do not recall from whom but someone shared a live-streaming link with me of the EWTN adoration chapel in Niepokalanow, Poland. It’s in the city of the Immaculata. I opened YouTube in the middle of the night and saw the most beautiful statue of the Blessed Mother with Jesus in the Eucharist glowing where her heart would be. She appeared to be suspended in the air with the sun behind her. She was surrounded by real flowers and flowers that were glowing.

The chapel had the familiar blue hue from LED lights but it also is seven hours ahead and the sun was just coming up in that part of the world, making it gold in tone as well. Blue and gold for our queen filled the room.

Their camera is set in the back of the chapel so you can see about three rows of pews on each side. They had people six feet apart praying the same as me. We were all making a spiritual Communion and calling on Our Lady’s intercession during a time of panic and worry. I then prayed a rosary and was gifted with so much consolation my pillow was wet from tears. Mary, our mother, comforted me in radiant blue rays, just like she would every night when I was a child. Now, I was having a child and calling on her again. She brought my frightened heart to Jesus and he poured his love right into it. I could not have designed a more perfect merge of the senses, memories and grace to bring me solace. The Lord is so generous and kind and his momma is so faithful and obedient.  I pray you all will have something as special to you as stringed bulbs and our Lady is to me.
Mary, cause of our joy and Morning Star, pray for us.

Eldridge is a Catholic mom living in the Diocese of Baton Rouge facing the same challenges all families face.