What memories an orange scarf can bring.

I have a bright orange silk hand-painted scarf. It is a pretty ornament, which can grace a woman’s sweater, dress, or coat.

We were far away then. My daughter found this pretty scarf during her school’s international fair and immediately thought of her Nonna. With her hard-earned dollars, she bought it from the lady who had painted it herself, because she thought the color combination was perfect for her own Grandmother to wear. I remember thinking how perceptive a 12-year old could already be. My Mother loved pinks, taupes and oranges.

I have this pretty kerchief because my Mother died. When we were clearing her things, that orange scarf brought back precious memories. Every time I look at this scarf I see myself wondering the halls of the school with my child.

Last night, as I was folding the scarf to put away, it struck me that its criss-cross pattern very much reflects the crossroads of life. My Mother is gone, but memories of her and her guiding principles remain. They are stronger today than when she was alive.

As I grow older, I understand my Mother’s view that -somehow- life and our experiences are interconnected by strong currents and delicate tendrils.

The orange color brought to mind an old song my Mother used to sing to us when we were kids, about an old blind man, a young Mother and her child, and an orange that quenched the child’s thirst. Little did I know that the song was an old Spanish romance from the 15th century. That was my Mother… a true teacher at heart, making the archaic sound modern to her children.

Because Christmas was fast approaching, I shared the Spanish version with my children… One day I will strive to translate… But maybe not. Here is a lovely translation: The Faith of the Blind.

LA VIRGEN y EL CIEGO

Camina la Virgen pura
camina para Belén
y en el medio del camino
pidió el niño de beber.

No pidas agua mi niño
no pidas agua mi bien
que las aguas vienen turbias
y los arroyos también.

Allá arriba, más arriba
hay un viejo naranjel
que lo guarda un cieguecito
cieguecito que no ve.

Me da usted una naranja
para el niño entretener.
Coja las que usted quiera
coja la buena mujer.

Cogían de una en una
salían de cien en cien
según las iba cortando
el ciego empezó a ver.

Quién es aquella señora
quién es aquella mujer
es la Virgen María
que camina para Belén.

(Originally published June 16, 2014.  Updated.)