I have to tell this story and I do not know where else to tell it but here in honor of our Blessed Mother.
It was 1968, and we lived in Oxon Hill, Maryland at the time of the riots in Washington, D.C. after the assassinations of Dr. King and R.F. Kennedy. The capital was on fire and National Guard troops stood watch outside the Montgomery Ward store where my mother worked.
I was a second grader at St. Thomas More Catholic School and I walked to school each day (yes, that's something seven year olds could do in the 1960s). I was often afraid to go to school because of what my father might do to my mother. He was violent, often drunk, and he would beat her like a man would beat another man with his fists.
Sister Marlene was (as I remember her) very pure and beautiful, and this image of our Lady reminds me of her very much. She knew I was having terrible trouble at home and did all she could to make my school hours as pleasant and happy as possible. Each day for lunch as we ate from our desks, she would play Paul Mauriat's "Love is Blue" on the classroom record player. Every time I hear that song I think of my dear Sister Marlene and how she loved me.
For the school play, "The Wedding of Jack and Jill" she cast me as Jack. For the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin's statue, I was selected to place the wreath on her head. Sister Marlene showed me much maternal love and sincere concern.
One day I had the privilege to eat lunch alone with her in the school cafeteria. Sister Marlene sat across the table from me and as I remember her, just glowed with innocence and purity. I believe she told me she was only 21 or 22 years old. As a seven-year-old, I knew I loved her, so I did the only thing I could imagine to do, and I asked her to marry me. Sister Marlene chuckled and blushed and said, "Johnny, I'm already married to Jesus" and showed me her ring. While I was very disappointed, I consoled myself with the thought of losing out to Jesus.
Now many decades later I realize how blessed I was to be loved by a religious sister who to this day reminds me of that pure and innocent love of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sister Marlene, wherever you are, thank you for taking care of me when my little world was falling apart. I love you very much and hope to see you in heaven to thank you for being so good to me.
