When his parents saw him, they were astonished,
and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done this to us?
Your father and I have been looking for you with great anxiety.” - Luke

Growing up, my perfect cousin, Mary, annoyed me because no one could be that good. When our mothers sent us to the well, she returned with a full jug while half the water in mine had spilled. Mary never got her clothes dirty when we played and she shamed us girls for gossiping about our mean neighbor who reported everything we did to our parents.

I always felt rotten for how I felt about Mary because doesn’t resenting someone who is perfect make you a bad person? Then Mary’s son, Jesus, turned out to be just as perfect as she was while my Jacob was a wild man.

My feelings about Mary changed that awful day when our clan was returning from Jerusalem and she and Joseph realized Jesus was missing. I went with them to hunt for him.
For three long days, we searched for him. It was agony, especially for Mary. Like any mother whose child has gone missing, she couldn’t eat or sleep. Her vulnerability made her human.  If only there had been some way to know that Jesus was fine!

Then we saw him in the Temple happily conversing with the elders even though he was only 12. Mary dashed frantically up to him, incredibly relieved. But being Mary, she merely chastised Jesus for causing her “great anxiety.” If it had been Jacob, I’d have yelled at him while I was hugging him.  

Thankfully Jesus came with and resumed being perfect after spouting some nonsense about doing his father’s business.  I guess even Jesus could be a mouthy 12-year-old.

That day changed my relationship with Mary. She was still perfect and I wasn’t but I had seen her terrified and vulnerable. I could even confide in her about my problems with Jacob. In turn, she trusted me because I had been with her when she needed it. I learned that raising a strong-willed paragon who asked a lot of questions wasn’t easy either. She feared for his safety. What if Jesus got in trouble for defying the authorities?

Mary was right to be worried. I was with her at the cross when Jesus died. Now I ache for her terrible loss but it has made her more human and given her more empathy for others who suffer. Anyone in need can turn to her for help because she gets it. I LOVE my perfect cousin. Bless you, Mary.