The Velveteen Rabbit – Don Hanley’s blog #33

I somehow brought one of my favorite books, The Velveteen Rabbit, by Margery Williams, into my meeting with Mary. I read a few lines of it to Mary because I’m sure she didn’t read English. Here are the lines I chose that I thought stated what Mary had said about Jesus teaching that we are all one, even when we grow old and shabby, like me.

“Weeks passed, and the little Rabbit grew old and shabby, but the Boy loved him just as much. He loved him so hard that he loved all his whiskers off, and the pink lining to his ears turned grey, and his brown spots faded. He even began to lose his shape, and he scarcely looked like a rabbit anymore except to the boy. He was always beautiful to him, and that was all the little Rabbit cared about. He didn’t mind how he looked to other people because the nursery magic had made him Real, and when you are Real, shabbiness doesn’t matter.

One day, the boy became ill and had to leave the little Rabbit. Then, another miracle happened, and the loveliest fairy in the whole world visited the Rabbit and told him that she would make him Real.

’Wasn’t I Real before?’ asked the little Rabbit.

‘You were Real to the Boy,’ the Fairy said, ‘because the little boy loved you. Now you shall be Real to everyone.’ And just before the Fairy left, she said, ‘For once you are Real, you are Real Forever.’

I noticed there were tears in Mary’s eyes, and through her tears, she said, “Oh, Don, that is lovely. Thank you for reading that to me. I think Jesus would love it. And you know, I wish I had heard those lines the last time I was with Peter and John and all my son’s special friends after he was murdered. I believe that Jesus wanted every person to be Real through love."

Jesus was Real to Joseph and me and then to those closest to him, but now, his spirit could make him Real to everyone.” Before I could say anything, I left Mary thoughtfully sitting in Nazareth. And now . . .

Nurture your heart, ponder this menu, and continue being REAL!