“Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, an anonymous 15th century Byzantine icon, handmade reproduction on a piece of driftwood (25x17cm) found at the beach. It was warm heartedly given to me & made by Dora, our school secretary. The original one has quite a remarkable & interesting story, which you can read on Wikipedia
Here’s a poem I wrote, on my return of Medjugorje, Bosnia & Herzegovina, july 2002, inspired by Our Lady:
LOST AND FOUND
As I am walking in this world of words
sometimes I keep forgetting how once
– inspired- I was returning home when
suddenly You spoke and down the hill
You came in shining white, Your music
as from heaven sent was all around,
and how it told me to have patience,
O I remember how my heart was filled
with joy, I hardly couldn’t wait and now,
while looking in Your eyes I feel a touch
of paradise, I finally have found an answer
beyond words.
sometimes I keep forgetting how once
– inspired- I was returning home when
suddenly You spoke and down the hill
You came in shining white, Your music
as from heaven sent was all around,
and how it told me to have patience,
O I remember how my heart was filled
with joy, I hardly couldn’t wait and now,
while looking in Your eyes I feel a touch
of paradise, I finally have found an answer
beyond words.
ps: here a picture explaining the symbols on the icon:
source: “Lynn’s Timeless Treasures”
Boutman 