My Rosary Beads

The Rosary has been a wonderful part of my entire life. I feel peaceful bringing my prayers and petitions to Our Lady. I gain comfort as the beads move through my fingers and as the prayers pass my lips and through my heart. Today, my dear husband gave me a most touching gift, one that caused me to reflect on the different sets of Rosary Beads that I have prayed with throughout my life.

As a teenager, I received this beautiful Rosary from my parents. They brought one home from Fatima for each of their daughters. I took this beautiful Rosary to college with me, and remember many, many days rocking in a chair in my dorm room praying for the intentions in my heart at that time in my life. I prayed for my family, and for Steve and our future together. I prayed for myself, that I would succeed in my studies and find a teaching job. I prayed for the things a young woman prays for as she begins her life away from home. And this Blessed Rosary got me through four long years away from my family, my home, and my Steve.

Steve gave me this beautiful Rosary shortly after we were married. I spent many mornings praying for things a young married woman prays for. I prayed for my husband, for my family, for myself, that I would do a good job teaching the young children entrusted to me each day. And most of all...I prayed for children of our own. I'm sure I practically wore these beads thin praying to Our Heavenly Father for a child. Then one more, and then for just one more. And in His own time, God answered my humble prayers.

I received this beautiful, old Blessed Rosary from a very special friend. One day, my sweet little son Rhett was holding my Rosary and it simply broke. My poor Rhett. Even as a young child, he had the most sincere, sensitive heart. He felt so badly about it, even when I held him and told him accidents happen. That very night, our family friend and parish priest, who happens to be Rhett's Godfather was visiting. When Rhett told him what happened, Father reached into his pocket and pulled out this beautiful Rosary. He handed it to Rhett, and told him to give it to me. The smile on Rhett's face is something I will never forget. So, that is how I came to pray with a Rosary once prayed with by a very holy man. With this Rosary I prayed the payers of an older mother. I prayed for my children that they would be happy at school. I prayed for my husband as he worked so hard for his family. I prayed for my parents as they got older. And I prayed for one more soul to bless our family. And again, in His own time, God answered our prayers. I also prayed with this Rosary for my father. I prayed for his health. And in time, for his soul.

This is the gift my husband brought me today. A brand new beautiful Rosary. A Rosary infused with the very roses that adorned my dear, sweet father's casket. Steve had this very beautiful Rosary made for me, so that now, as I move the beads through my fingers, I will be reminded of the man who taught me to pray The Rosary...who taught me to love The Rosary...my Dad. The very last day I spent with my dad, the day before he died, my sisters and I prayed the Rosary around my father's bed. As we started, we noticed his fingers rubbing against each other. We saw his fingers searching for something. Although he could not speak, he was letting us know what he wanted...his Rosary beads. And now, each time I pray with these beautiful beads, I will think of that day, and know that my father is praying with me.