Remember?
I talked with a friend recently who awoke the other morning thinking of his mother. She had died some years ago. That morning happened to be the anniversary of her death. Â
He said he lay there remembering how good a mom she really was and how powerful an impact she had on him. He thanked God for her goodness in his life. Â
Knowing full well how he had those feelings, I thought of my mom that morning when I saw the e-mail. I haven’t reached the anniversary of her first year of death yet. Her death is still really pretty raw in my mind and heart. The impact of not having my confidant, my friend, my mother is felt on a daily basis. I long for that contact. I am very thankful for the fact that she was with me to be all that and more for so long. Â
I often ask myself what would she say as I deal with life in general? I regularly picked up the phone or stopped by and asked her opinion on things going on with me. She was a good listener. Â
We all need at least one of those in our lives. Some of us are fortunate to have more than one. Many do not have the opportunity to experience that in a whole lifetime. Â
I have learned what being a good listener, a good friend, a good confidant means. I also aspire to be that to those I come across in all phases of my life. Sometime I do a good job at that. Sometime I don’t. Â
I do know this. My mother was a simple woman. In that simpleness, there was a power that reached beyond race, riches, or fame. Her kindnesses have been remembered to me in many ways…some very unexpected. Â
I visited a friend the other day who took a new job and there was a reminder of my mother right on her file cabinet. She had several of the little needlepoint magnets my mother made and gave so freely her entire life. She even commented on how much she has enjoyed those over the years.Â
I walked into my house that afternoon and looked to see how many of the things in the living room were crafted by my mother. There were seven items in that room alone. Walking around in the other spaces around the house, I saw one thing after another she had made…just for me and my family. I remembered the afghan she knitted for my son to give to his first born. It’s in the cedar chest waiting for the moment I can pull it out to share it with him. I have a note on in just in case I’m not around for that anticipated event. Â
In many ways, she is still with me. Her spirit lives on in my mind…in my home…in my heart. Â
So as we walk the daily walk…wherever we are, whatever we do, we should rest assured that every little thing has an impact on someone…be it positive or negative. We should never question if we make an impact through the power of simple gestures because we do, one way or the other. Â
How do you want to be remembered?
My wish for you today is that you embrace life as positively as possible and become a good listener, a good friend, a good confidant to others. While you’re at it, make sure you find that for yourself, too. Whether it be a friend, mother, father, wife husband, etc. leave your legacy behind as one who cares about others. Take a moment to remember those who have been that for you and celebrate their lives…thanking God that they were put in your path.Â
~ Joellen