A Massachusetts woman who recently separated from her husband and had her hours cut at work says an image of Jesus Christ she sees on her iron has reassured her that "life is going to be good."

Mary Jo Coady first noticed the image one Sunday when she walked into her daughter's room.

The brownish residue on the bottom of the iron looks like the face of a man with long hair.

The 44-year-old Coady was raised Catholic. She and her two college-age daughters agree that the image looks like Jesus and believe it is proof that "he's listening."

Coady told The Eagle-Tribune that she hopes her story will inspire others during the holidays. She says she plans to keep the iron in a closet and buy a new one.

Source: Eagle Tribune, http://www.eagletribune.com

Being a guru of folklore, I had to comment on this particular news article. We've all heard of these kinds of discoveries before--an image on a common item resembling a religious icon, often described as Jesus or Mary. Images have been documented on shrouds, in storm clouds, tree stumps, and one guy even claimed to have seen Jesus on a pancake. I believe he put it up for auction on eBay, although I don't recall if he had any serious takers, or not.

I suppose with Ms. Mary Jo Coady, it's probably not so much the image but what the image has come to represent--hope. Everyone needs to believe in something that will make them want to continue with their day. Some people refer to it as good luck, some karma, others faith. Regardless of how you get your reassurance, it's always nice to have a little encouragement to move on with a positive outlook.

With every new year that rolls around, it's customary to wish each other a very happy and prosperous one. Now, "happy and prosperous" may vary from one person to the next, but making resolutions and vowing to behave better or healthier is the general purpose of making resolutions. What we choose to believe to help us achieve our goals defines us, and makes us who we are: Lutherans, Catholics or Buddists.

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