Thursday, July 28, 2011
From Sr. Virginia’s obituary you can see that she was dedicated and didn’t shy away from responsibility. That she was devoted to the church, her vocation as a nun, her Ivrea sisters, her students and her family.
What it doesn’t tell you is the unique way she loved. Each one of us loves in so many different ways. That’s just the simple grace of God. I was blessed to be loved and nurtured by Sr. Virginia thru most of my life. From the time I entered the Verna Montessori School in 3rd grade until now. She is one of my closest and dearest friends.
Honestly, when I was a child I didn’t feel so close to Sister Virginia. As a teacher, she was a little strict. However, I could always feel that her care was coming from a depth I did not understand or realize consciously. Hugging her was fun as there was a lot to hug! She would often pinch up our cheeks in an Italian way. She was showing her appreciation in a small rendition of a hug. It was a little strange. Having a German background we don’t pinch many cheeks! At the Verna Montessori School many years ago, something in me, alive to the Intelligence of Love could always sense her warmth and acceptance, her protection and care.
It would be difficult to extend such goodness to us wee ones at the school without strong support. Sr. Virginia was graced to have a community of sisters, too many to name, to support and guide her as well. With a rock solid community life based in Christ’s Love, the Holy Spirit, and the Blessed Mother’s Love, her heart was filled and overflowing supporting her to give passionately and fully to her students. Sr. Virginia was also blessed with a large and loving family with whom she was always in contact.
In my adult life I have been blessed beyond measure to have a friendship with her based on acceptance, a willingness to see different points of view, even if vastly different from our own, to appreciate that we are each learning to love and grow in our own unique way, and most of all to support each other in the very depths of our hearts to know God’s Grace and Love. We were continually letting go of who we thought we were and should be, and embracing the mystery of Love without boundaries. This was the basis of our friendship. Sometimes that came thru prayer, sometimes thru chocolate and laughter… sometimes thru tears and hugs. To those of us who already know a friendship like this…may we be blessed with many more. To those who are yet to experience this kind of friendship may you be touched by such warmth and depths in this instant!
Sr. Virginia showed me in heart and action that giving another person, who is different from you, the simple freedom to be oneself, can be nurtured, shared, respected and protected in this world. Her kindness has helped me thru many difficult times to return to a Wisdom, Power and Love that is not of this world. I may miss her physical form, as so many of us will, but I will continue to be nourished and supported by a friendship beyond time and space sprinkled thoroughly with God’s Grace.
For all of us who share this Love…may we continue to extend this to others and be nourished and sustained thru these interesting times in which we live. May we know and rest in the peaceful depths of our hearts in celebration of our friend Sr. Virginia.
204 Eagle Street
