Mary of the underpass

At a Kennedy expressway underpass, the one at Fullerton, there's a shrine against one wall to the Virgin Mary. I didn't know why until Tim explained that someone thought they could see an image of Mary in the waterstains. I bike past it daily, but didn't think to look more closely until tonight, when I saw three people standing at it.

I could see her. There was a ghostly pattern there that, given the suggestion of a face, was clearly visible.

I have always loved the idea of Mary. I love that in all the male-dominated spirituality that's out there, she has such a devoted following.

And I love roadside shrines. Handmade shrines have always been special to me. They're a place to lay tangible mementos of your spirituality, and a place to collect and center your thoughts. Far removed from gold-encrusted cathedrals, they are accessible to commonfolk, indeed, created and cared for by them.