It occurred to me this morning at breakfast as I listened to Bella telling me about how Bella is recovering from being home from the hospital and how she (Mary) came to help while Bella is not feeling well, it occurred to me that what I was hearing was a retelling of the visitation, whether Bella intends that or not. For Isabella is a variation of Elizabeth and I’ve always considered St Elizabeth, the mother of the Forerunner, a special patron of my Bella.
In Bella’s story Bella has gone to the hospital to have a baby (the only way she knows of having a baby) and Mary has come to help her during the childbirth, to tend the house and care for the children. How beautiful that during this advent season Bella is entering so deeply and imaginatively into the drama of the gospel story.
Ha! I love that face. It looks just like our Bella’s face when she’s in the stroller or contemplating a particularly distasteful meal.