Mary L. Rondinella

Mary Lucy DeMarco Rondinella lived well over 96 years on this earth. She did not attend college or serve in the military. She did not receive awards for any accomplishments or achieve financial or professional success in the business world. She loved her daughter, and loved making beautiful clothes for her to wear. She loved her home and would take pride in decorating it. She would paint and wallpaper the walls herself. She would make patterns and cover the furniture in beautiful, hand-sewn covers.

She loved her garden and would get on her hands and knees to weed and plant beautiful flowers. She loved to pick olives from the olive tree in front of her home and would prepare them in rock salt for the family and neighbors to enjoy the next season. But most of all, she loved God, and every day of her long life she would say the rosary and repeat the Hail Mary and Our Father. She was smart, sharp, and kind and made a difference in this world and will remain in the hearts and on the minds of those fortunate enough to have known and loved her.

One night I had a dream--

I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in times when I needed you most,

you should leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child,

I love you and I would never, never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."