Perfect

The other day we watched a film about the life of Mary of Nazareth from the time of the Annunciation to the loss and finding of Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem. The film ended with a shot of a very old and wrinkled lady, the narrator of the story, who was supposed to be Mary.
The basic structure of the film is based on the different Gospel traditions, but there are a few different and, frankly speaking, quite unorthodox interpretations.
Anyway, what has struck me most was that last scene of an old, wrinkled lady. How strange, to portray Mary of Nazareth, the most popular woman of all time, in this way.
On second thought, I quite like it. The many ways Mary has been portrayed from time immemorial leaves us the image of a perfect woman, according to our categories: beautiful, flawless, young, white, always sure, always right, humble, obedient, etc.
I am not saying that they are not adequate descriptions of Mary, but somehow, Mary's depiction has relegated her to what she is for many people - a beautiful, cold statue.
This isn't the Mary that Jesus has entrusted to John (and to us Christians, for that matter), as Jesus was dying on the cross. Somehow as I read between the lines of the Gospel, I believe that Jesus has given me Mary as my mother, as a woman to imitate.
Reading the Gospels would help me to understand Mary in flesh and blood. A little imagination wouldn't be bad, too.
Like for instance, after Jesus' loss and finding in the temple, Luke ends the narration with these words "But they (Mary and Joseph) did not understand what he (Jesus) said to them. He (Jesus) went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart." (Luke 3:50-51) How did Mary feel when Jesus responded that way? Did she answer back or ask more explanations? Did this event create a tension in their home? How did they make up after this? etc.
I want to know Mary as a woman of flesh and blood. I believe this is a necessary step so that I may take her as teacher and model. If I see her as too perfect, does she have anything at all to do with my imperfect life? I guess not.
I bet Mary wouldn't be offended if I read through the Gospel lines and see her as flesh and blood. Her life is a message. If she managed, with all her limits and weaknesses and the imperfections of her circumstances, to say "yes" to God's designs, not in a passive and subservient way, then there is hope for me, too.