Monday, August 8, 2011

The Pilgrimage: La Peregrinacion

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The idea of making a pilgrimage has always had a special meaning for me.



Though the language I use may  be different,

as in

 

‘making a round’,

‘making a vuelta’,

or

‘going exploring’,

the intention is the same.



I am looking for something soul-related.

 

The important people in my life know this about me.

Once, when shuffling my feet and stumbling through

a confession of sorts to my priest (Episcopalian)

about my absence from church,

he said,

with an absolving smile on his face,

he knew where I was.


I was at the flea market.

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Years ago, when my mother died,

I ‘looked’ for her in these familiar destinations, these pilgrimages:

the flea market,

Retacera, the fabric store she loved in downtown McAllen,

the chair in her living room.


Just a few weeks ago, one of her favorite vendors at the flea market stopped me

with a big smile and began by saying,

mamá.”


And so on my recent pilgrimage to Dallas

to deliver the turquoise dresser to Daughter #3,

and after a visit to Canton,

 

I stopped in Athens , Texas at the Goodwill.


It was there I found


La Peregrinación,

(the pilgrimage)

a painting by an artist in San Miguel de Allende,

my favorite place in the world.

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The painting depicts pilgrims

making their way to the shrine of

la Parroquia,

which sits on the square in San MIguel.

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This unexpected find of a special treasure


all made perfect

soul sense

to me.

 

***

 

Linking to:

miscellaney monday

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In Other Words Tuesday

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Sweet. I wish this post had a like button.

Karen said...

Oh, Laura....

carissa said...

this is precious. thanks for linking up. the painting is a real treasure!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Your writing is always so different from others'. I want you to know how much I enjoy reading your posts!
Brenda

Deb said...

great post Laura....

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

What a story. I believe in signs...signs from God and signs from those who have gone before us. This was meant to be. You were meant to own that painting. Place it in your home...every time you look at it you will think of your mom and smile.

Cindy said...

It IS a sign from God! I truely believe in signs from above. You found a treasure with very special meaning! Lovely story..

trash talk said...

We stop in that same Goodwill every time we go to W&T's, but I've never seen this or anything as captivating. This tells me I wasn't supposed to see it because it was for your eyes...and heart only.
Deb
P.S. Maybe the moral of this story is seeing the forest because of the trees.

designchic said...

What a find...adore the colors!!

SZM said...

First of all, I am your 700th follower! Yay! Secondly, thanks for stopping by my little 'ol blog, 3rd, I love this story and the painting. And I LOVE Canton! I lived in Dallas for 3 wonderful years and adored it. There is nothing like Canton!!

 

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