Tanner had his last match at oh-gawd-o’clock this morning, so we headed back to Belleville bright and early. Not ready to make small talk with tennis parents, I picked up some caffeine and headed back over to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. There were so many things that were begging for a closer look during last night’s tour, I had to go back when there was more light. The nativity looks so different during the day. No less beautiful, just different.

There are so many nooks and crannies on the Shrine’s grounds. This was my favorite because I had no idea it was coming. Background: last night I saw an angel and Mary quite a ways from the road/tour and I remarked to Tanner that I wish I could get close enough to take a picture. So today I took this path, thinking it would take me there. I was greeted with lots of cactus, enormous rocks and these awesome thorn plants.

The path was curvy to the point that I had no idea where I would come out. I rounded the corner and…whoa. Didn’t see this coming.

This is The Lady of Guadalupe. She took my breath away. I stood there for a few moments, totally stunned. I love all of the flowers, gifts and votive offerings that have been left behind. If it wouldn’t have been below freezing, I would’ve stayed there for a while. I don’t know what it is about holy places like this, but I’m always surprised by the profound silence. You can almost feel it.

The chill finally got to me and I headed back to the car. My next stop was the annunciation wall — my original destination. One thing I appreciate about the Catholics is their tendency to kneel when they pray. There are kneelers at all of these little shrines. I actually took advantage of this one. Then I headed back to the car. On my way out, I saw this angel up in a tree.

Adequately caffeinated and completely at peace, I headed back over to the club. Tanner won his last match and now we’re finally home. So I’m going back to bed.