It started as a joke but has blossomed into something else, something warm and touching.

Maria, who stays clear of organized religion, has a small thing going with Mary, The Blessed Mother, who Sue Silverstein worships sincerely. Maria loves Sue and admires her, as do I. Sue has a statue of Mary in her classroom, and she talks to her all the time.

Maria and I went to Bishop Maginn today. She taught her class how to make pillows for their families and the Afghan refugees, and I interviewed two young freshmen refugees from Myanmar, who were driven from their country and have rebuilt their lives here, and have been close friends since they were five.

I’m writing about them later tonight or tomorrow morning. I’ve got a lot of pictures to go through; we had another wonderful time at the school.

Maria and Sue are close friends, as are Sue and I.

Sue talks about the Blessed Mother all the time.

Maria has only recently begun to talk about the story of Mary, her life. She said she felt her presence in Sue’s classroom at times, and I took this photo of Maria standing in front of Sue’s statue.

Maria connects to strong women, no matter their religion.

“The Blessed Mother has gotten me through many, many days,” messaged Sue when I sent her this photo. “Oh, do I love this photo,” she said. “I feel like the Blessed Mother is watching you guys now. I love her because I love her story. A young girl who suddenly gets to be the mother of God. She was likely a young teen at best and terrified. She gives me strength when I am tired.”

I confess that I’ve never seen Sue tired, but I do know the power for good and the strength that her faith gives her. And I am touched by the idea of the Blessed Mother keeping an eye on me; I can use the help.

Maria and I are not conventionally religious, but we can relate to the story of Mary, and we can also click to  Sue, who we both love, and whose faith gives her the strength and vision to make small miracles every day.

I don’t know where this unusual friendship is going, if anywhere, but I loved taking this photo and was intrigued that Maria wanted me to and asked me to send her a copy.