Today, I'm thrilled to share a truly beautiful and inspiring story from Stephanie Anne. Her reflection on a simple gesture, a red rose, and the profound message it carried, will undoubtedly touch your heart as it did mine. It's a testament to the power of a child's love, the beauty of motherhood, and the ever-present embrace of Mother Mary. I invite you to read Stephanie Ann's moving account below. - Justin Stroh

Beyond the Parade: A Daughter's Love and Mother Mary's Message
My daughters and I have a long-standing tradition of attending the Montgomery, MN, Kolacky Days Parade. This year, it was just my youngest daughter and myself attending. The parade began as hot, exciting, and fun as always! A little ways into the parade, she saw individuals walking through and handing out red roses, and I was in complete awe. As a child growing into a young woman, I imagine this was an exciting "parade find," yet it also spoke to the young woman she is becoming.

My daughter asked, "Can I have a rose? Can I have a rose? Excuse me, can I have a rose?!" The first person walking through responded, "These are only for mothers; they're special!" In that moment, she looked up at me with a renewed look in her eye. This wasn't just a parade handout…it had special meaning. She wanted to chase after the parade participant but stayed with family. Yet, she wasn't ready to give up, and so she diligently looked all around and was excited to see a man coming our way with more roses.

This time, she persisted with the utmost respect, "Sir, may I please have a rose for my mom? She loves flowers and really deserves it." Then, pointing at my mom, she excitedly stated, "And this is my Grandma, and so she's a mom too, and she should have one!"

I watched, shaking my head and smiling…a child's enthusiasm at a parade is typically self-serving, and of course, collecting candy is fun. Yet, somehow this had turned into something different for her.

At first, she simply wanted the gift of the rose for the sake of having a flower, but after learning that these roses are only for mothers, it turned her attention away from "what can I get" and towards something so much more meaningful. She was finding the joy in serving others, in relationships, in love, and love for mothers in particular.

As the gentleman handed me the rose, he shared an important message, and I cannot quote him exactly, but he shared, "This rose is for you as a mother, and Our Mother Mary loves you." I thanked him, and my daughter excitedly reminded him that her grandma is a mom AND a grandma and so definitely should receive a rose. The gentleman shared a rose with my mom, saying that grandmothers have an extra special place in our hearts, and the same message as before, "Our Mother Mary loves you."

We thanked him, and as he and his group continued on, I noticed the statue of Mother Mary had passed by us as all of this occurred.

My heart was touched at the impact that this gesture had on my child growing into a young woman, myself as a mother, my mom as a grandmother, and the simple yet resounding message and reminder, "Mother Mary loves you." As the parade ended, it didn't leave my mind. I was astounded at the impact this rose had on myself, but especially on how my child shared her love for her mother and grandmother.

I have never been so touched and impacted at a parade, of a "handout." I was astounded by the rose, the gesture, and especially the message. I had to share this with family and learned in conversation that one individual donates all of these roses and supports this cause, which even further amazed me to learn that one person is investing and driving this simple, yet life-changing effort.

I was incredibly touched by this unique gesture, the simple faith-filled message, and the moment it created between my daughter, myself, my mother (my daughter's grandmother), and Our Mother Mary, all through a simple rose being handed to me at a parade, with the simple words, "Our Mother Mary loves you."