My sister, who has Down syndrome, never had dolls that looked like her growing up. Today, my kids can play with a Barbie who has Down syndrome, which allows all children to welcome people with disabilities.
My relationship with Mary is complicated. I couldn't see the appeal of Marian devotion until I had a baby and understood how she embodies the life-giving sacrifice of motherhood.
Writing this marginally insane diary was a reminder to me that, no matter what disasters strike us, and no matter what destruction they wreak, we can at least find ways to diminish their soul-destroying power. We can at least laugh.