As we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, I am reminded of the countless depictions of Mary as Mother in our Church, but I’m not relating to her as a mother right now. I am a young woman who is struggling with identity and image and I am relating to her as Sister. As Sister, Mary is someone who understands the regular and ordinary struggles that I am going through right now.

I associate particular colors with Mary, but not the traditional colors of blue or white. Instead, I see her as brown and red. These are human colors; colors of earth, of flesh and of blood. I think Mary is earthy, and it is through an earthy and real womanhood that she understands every woman's suffering and pain.

Mary reminds me that holiness-wholeness-is attainable in the middle of our own earthy humanity, because she is someone like we are. Mary is Ever-Virgin, but her virginity transcends biology. Her virginity is in her body, but it is also found in her complete openness to God. Being a virgin is to be totally content and whole in oneself through a relationship with God.

When I think of Mary as Sister, this openness and contentment does not seem so difficult to attain. Mary reveres God's presence within herself and lives from this center. She calls us to do this as well. This is why I ask her to be with me on my journey. This is who Mary is to me. Who is Mary to you? Why do you need her with you on the road of life?