Maria of the winding blankets

When Maria could not play outdoors because of rain or snow, she loved to play make-believe. She had quite an imagination and did not need much in way of toys or props to amuse herself.

She would wrap herself up in blankets and scarves and shawls and become the main character in her own stories. It might be a fairy princess in a castle, or a nun in a convent in the Alps, or the woman from the Bible who wiped Jesus' face. Maria was always lost in her stories and would entertain herself fairly well.

One day, during a rainstorm, Maria twirled the blankets around her and draped one over her head. As she marched slowly down the center of the living room, her brother Miguel was passing by. With a quizzical look on his face, he asked Maria, "What are you doing?"

Maria was shaken out of her make-believe land and answered matter-of-factly, "I am getting married."

Miguel said, "Wait - I have an idea. I will be right back."

Maria was stunned as Miguel never paid much attention to her and rarely wanted to play with her. So she waited patiently.

Miguel returned shortly with his Sunday suit on. He even had a fake flower in the button hole. He looked at Maria and said, "I will be the groom."

At this point, Maria's sister, Juanita, passed by and caught on quickly to what was happening. Juanita wanted to join in and quickly wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. She said, "I can be the priest and marry you!"

Miguel found a box of silk flowers for Maria to hold. Juanita found a Bible to hold. Then Miguel and Juanita sang out the wedding march as Maria walked down the aisle again. "Don don duh don, don don duh don..."

Juanita performed a wonderful ceremony and Maria's mother took a picture of the wedding party afterwards. Maria was delighted that her older brother and sister spent the afternoon with her and her imagination.