This past week, my grandmother passed away...
I’ve had the great privilege of being immersed in her life, and having her entrenched in mine for many years. She was 92 and up until a month ago, she was driving, playing my children on the floor and offering to babysit if I had anything I needed to go do by myself. She was an amazing woman and is now an even more amazing spirit.
A few weeks ago, as her health was diminishing, I sat with her on a Friday evening going through a photo album of her life. There was so much that I did not know about the layers of my grandmother’s life until that night: the experiences, the places she lived, and the many offers of marriage (Go, Gram!) We laughed together over pictures of her putting on shows for her family, and marveled at the stories of my great-grandfather who worked for Thomas Edison.
So much to learn from the people in our lives, but I fear so often that the layers of our lives are being lost and, therefore, forgotten.
What of your heritage, your family story, do you know or share? There are parts of our story that may be difficult and parts that are joyful to remember. But, all parts help make up who we are. Granted there may be layers of our story that we would rather forget. But, so much of what has formed the foundation of our lives is meant to teach us a little more about who we are in this unique and diversified world.
Even if you are not a writer, jotting down quick stories or dates with titles can often leave those that come after us a glimpse into the layers of their lives. For Father’s Day one year, I gave my husband a journal, in which to jot down stories or ideas he wanted our son to know. I fear that there may have been a long break in entries, but the book has something written in it, and I think that we all need to have a book like this.
We all need a place to jot down the little miracles, the little lessons, the little things that have made us laugh. All of these little entries can have a huge impact someday in the lives of our children and family members. But, they also help us remember the grace in our life, even amidst the chaos. Let me share with you an example…
By 10:00am this morning, I felt like I had already lived a 14 hour day. Up for hours last night with my 5 year-old; entered debate over the appropriate amount of syrup on a waffle; shared lessons with my 9 year-old on why it is hygienic to wear socks with your boots, and worked to convince my three year-old that “beary” would be fine in the washing machine and ultimately much happier when he smells better.
In other words, a hectic morning…But, there, I’ve written it down and as I write it down, it makes me laugh and I am reminded that in the midst of the craziness, things are o.k. Hopefully that small bit of sharing will someday give my kids a deeper understanding of the layers of their lives.
(Oh, and kids…today when I came downstairs, your dad had made me coffee, and placed a coffee cup on a napkin in front of the coffee maker. He had prepared something for me at the beginning of my crazy day! Someday, you will know how grace-filled a small act like this is!)
What are the layers of your life that you want to share?
I’ve had the great privilege of being immersed in her life, and having her entrenched in mine for many years. She was 92 and up until a month ago, she was driving, playing my children on the floor and offering to babysit if I had anything I needed to go do by myself. She was an amazing woman and is now an even more amazing spirit.
A few weeks ago, as her health was diminishing, I sat with her on a Friday evening going through a photo album of her life. There was so much that I did not know about the layers of my grandmother’s life until that night: the experiences, the places she lived, and the many offers of marriage (Go, Gram!) We laughed together over pictures of her putting on shows for her family, and marveled at the stories of my great-grandfather who worked for Thomas Edison.
So much to learn from the people in our lives, but I fear so often that the layers of our lives are being lost and, therefore, forgotten.
What of your heritage, your family story, do you know or share? There are parts of our story that may be difficult and parts that are joyful to remember. But, all parts help make up who we are. Granted there may be layers of our story that we would rather forget. But, so much of what has formed the foundation of our lives is meant to teach us a little more about who we are in this unique and diversified world.
Even if you are not a writer, jotting down quick stories or dates with titles can often leave those that come after us a glimpse into the layers of their lives. For Father’s Day one year, I gave my husband a journal, in which to jot down stories or ideas he wanted our son to know. I fear that there may have been a long break in entries, but the book has something written in it, and I think that we all need to have a book like this.
We all need a place to jot down the little miracles, the little lessons, the little things that have made us laugh. All of these little entries can have a huge impact someday in the lives of our children and family members. But, they also help us remember the grace in our life, even amidst the chaos. Let me share with you an example…
By 10:00am this morning, I felt like I had already lived a 14 hour day. Up for hours last night with my 5 year-old; entered debate over the appropriate amount of syrup on a waffle; shared lessons with my 9 year-old on why it is hygienic to wear socks with your boots, and worked to convince my three year-old that “beary” would be fine in the washing machine and ultimately much happier when he smells better.
In other words, a hectic morning…But, there, I’ve written it down and as I write it down, it makes me laugh and I am reminded that in the midst of the craziness, things are o.k. Hopefully that small bit of sharing will someday give my kids a deeper understanding of the layers of their lives.
(Oh, and kids…today when I came downstairs, your dad had made me coffee, and placed a coffee cup on a napkin in front of the coffee maker. He had prepared something for me at the beginning of my crazy day! Someday, you will know how grace-filled a small act like this is!)
What are the layers of your life that you want to share?
