The Things we forget to do
I walk in and it feels like home. I smell something delicious
coming from the kitchen and the tables are set with centerpieces and fine china.
As I walk in memories float through my mind of days gone by. I remember going
to my Grandmother Dean’s house. It was always filled with those same smells
from something she had cooking in the kitchen. As I surveyed the room, the
memory of Grandmother’s table surfaced to the top. I could see the table set in
the dining room but until I got married I was only allowed to look because only
the “adults” sat at the table with the fine china and crystal. I guess the qualifications
of an adult you had to be married because I know I was older than some of my
other cousins that sat at that table. I was invited to sit at the “kids” table.
As I was invited in, I sat down and looked around. There was
laughter and joy filling the room. These ladies were just so happy to be
together. I listened and really looked at these precious women. Women comfortable
with each other and with themselves. Women, who had lived, loved, lost, and
knew the power of being strong by standing on your knees. Each line etched on their
face came from the joy of knowing the Lord and living life well.
These precious ladies had invited me to come and speak to
them at their monthly luncheon. What an honor. But what could I even begin to
say to these ladies. They had more wisdom in their little finger than I did in
my whole body. But I pressed on. I felt the one thing that maybe they didn’t
hear all the time was exactly how important they were to me and so many others.
Not because they showed up to cook all those delicious meals, or when someone
needs a hospital visit or even to the nursing home but that their life left
bits of wisdom in all of us. I wanted to let them know how much I appreciated the
time they spent with the Lord calling my daughter’s name to the one and only
one who holds her life in His Hands. How they have loved their families and friends
the same way. If you picture the church, these ladies are the ones that bath it
in prayer. The mortar that holds it in place.
When I left, I was left with more than I could have ever
given to them. The love that you feel from these precious ladies is more than
can be put into words. But most of all, more important than the love I felt, I
realized we do forget to appreciate those ahead of us. That we forget to tell
them how much we love who they are and how much we appreciate what they have
done in their lives. Because they help us manage our lives and make better decisions
because they have gone before us and know all the pitfalls, the anguish, the
laughter and the tears. They see the picture of life so much bigger than we
ever could.
Hug your Mom today. I miss mine terribly and wish I could.
Call your grandmother today…she has so much to give….hug the older ladies in
your church, wealth of wisdom is found in them and your kids, let them know how
important it is to honor them. We have all learned lessons we will never forget
from these precious ladies.
