"But one griffin hath the body more great and is more strong than eight lions, of such lions as be on this half, and more great and stronger than an hundred eagles such as we have amongst us." - Mandeville

This statue of a griffin stands in the dappled sunlight of my parents’ front yard.

Half-lion (king of the beasts) and half-eagle (king of the birds), griffins were believed to mate for life.  Between its legendary fidelity, strength, courage, and mystery, it seems an apt symbol not only for the dual nature of Christ (for which it is also known) but for something less well-known yet quite human and divine:  my parents’ marriage.

It would be inappropriate for me to divulge all of the magical things I know about these two people.  What I will tell you in the strictest confidence of the Internet is that as I pulled out of their driveway Sunday afternoon my mother handed me a dozen free-range organic eggs, and whispered, “Your father made me the most lovely omelette with these this morning.  He thought we didn’t have any milk and made the omelette with melted ice cream.  It was kind of flat.  And sweet.  But it was very nice………”

I leave you with the mystery of true love, and with hopes that you have a magical holiday Monday.