The other night while my husband worked late I decided to sit on his office floor and go through a packet of papers and photos my mother had given me some time ago. As I unfolded papers I discovered treasure. Treasures not of financial value but words that fill your heart, bring back memories and encourage you to keep moving forward. The treasure that I found was my grandmother’s words. A letter dated January 10, 1994.
Anyone who has known me or read my words for any length of time has heard me talk about my Grandmother. She has in so many ways inspired my desire to live this one life I have been given well. She loved to write beautiful words and always shared what she was learning. Her letters were often written with inspiration as well as documentation of life in the simple moments.
Take a moment and walk with me as we imagine a Monday morning, January 1994 in Alberta, Canada. The temperature minus 21 celsius or 8 below Fahrenheit. My Grandfather had just come in from plugging in the car. A common chore in Canadian winters, necessary in extreme cold to ensure your car would start. While out there he had brushed off the snow from the car and porch, there is a breeze that added a cold wind chill factor. My Grandmother sitting at her desk, typing on her typewriter. There is whiteout on the paper in one area, indicating she had corrected something. Within a single page, we can read the words and imagine my grandparents’ life at that moment. While you as a reader may not have the same context or emotional connection, still it is history recorded. It is beautiful art I fear we are loosing for future generations.
We now send text and email, type, and store words electronically. We rarely print papers to later unfold. We abbreviate, text speak, getting straight to the point rather than painting pictures of life as we are living it. Finding this letter is a treasure not just for the emotional connection but for the small piece of history shared. A story of life on a cold snowy morning in 1994.
As our life story is being written there are those moments etched on our hearts and in our minds where we know we were forever changed. But more commonly there are many tiny small seeds that together grow into a beautiful garden. My Grandmother planted many tiny seeds that over a lifetime I discover and rediscover. Her letters always included tips and poems, bible verses, and thoughts. Copies of articles and information. There was rarely a letter that didn’t include newspaper clippings or magazine articles. Something she read and thought I would enjoy. And that holds true for this letter. As she starts with a poem.
A new path lies before us.
Linda Maurice
We’re not sure where it leads.
But God goes on before us,
Providing all our needs.
This path, so new, so different,
Exciting as we climb,
Will guide us in His perfect will
Until the end of time.”
She had shared this poem originally as we were getting ready to enter a new season of life as a married couple. But as I read it now it still applies. In the current season of life where we have no idea what lies before us on our paths. I don’t remember my thoughts when I first read the poem. But the other night my heart was full as I realized that my grandmother’s words continue to impact my life. Even though she is no longer with us, I hear her voice and heart as I read through her letter. She reminded us she was always praying for us………a blessing I have never taken lightly. She reminded us of the value of our work as she writes ….. “your own personal walk with God will shine out through your speech and actions and attitudes and love for each other and all people.” She more than likely didn’t realize it at the moment but my Grandmother taught me how the small ways in which we choose to live well matter. As we live we are writing a story that other people read. If not today, maybe in future generations.
This season of Pandemic Life has been a new kind of challenge for us all. It is easy to get bogged down in the moments trying to just survive and make it through today. It can be easy in any season to question if what we do matters. But right now the reality is we are living what will be history for the next generation. How we live through this season will be the stories that are someday remembered and retold. And our reality is we may never know the impact of our words or choices in our lifetime. The impact may be felt many years beyond when our grandchild unfolded an old letter or finds a journal long ago forgotten. And at that moment they may find exactly the inspiration they need to keep moving forward and living the one beautiful life they have well.
As we seek to live this one beautiful life we have well. Let’s not forget the million tiny moments and small acts that can leave a life long legacy. It may be as simple as writing a letter and sharing moments that may seem insignificant. But those moments matter, they are your beautiful story to tell.
