Journaling has been a “saving grace” to me all of my life. While I disliked being forced to do this in literature in high school now I use it for self care. I began journaling when Anna was born. As you know I still have those journals and sometimes I post a page or two here.
As I navigate this recent death of my mother I have been looking through many items left in a cedar chest of my mothers.
The years swirl by as I see photos of her in her youth, photos of Anna through the years that she kept. I see all the life stored in this beautiful cedar chest. I think of Anna’s 23 years and all the things I have written in my journal for her. Some of love, some of distress, and some of utter madness when things were not going well.
A couple of nights ago I stumbled upon this. It hit me and had brought me joy and old fashioned family love. It gave me comfort during a time of sorrow and racing emotions. This was a very old greeting card sent to my mother from her mother. I thought of Anna and Gabrielle and now both my grandmother, “Mom-o” and my mother are up there together. It reads as follows:
“We always thought you were special from the time you were a little girl.
And through the years, you’ve proven that we were right.
Even though you’re grown now
And have a life of your own, you’re just as important to us as you always were.
We still worry about you,
brag about you,
and take in joy in your accomplishments,
just like we always did.
So, forgive us if at times
we fuss over you a little bit.
It’s not that we don’t recognize that you’re an independent, capable adult.
It’s just that in a special place in our hearts, you’ll always be
Our little girl.
By Linda Elrod
The card is signed, “For the blessing of our lives, Lord we thank you. Love from both of us. (my grandparents to my mother)
The back of the card has writing from my mother, “October 1988, received when Mom has breast cancer.
We are all fighting a fight. It may be small to some or large to others. We walk through this life trying to overcome. As Warriors we overcome more on a daily basis, but those who help us are also fighting. Keep kindness in your heart even when hurts sting and people are not always here anymore.
Suzanne Leich and mother Anna Parrott (First Picture) Below: Anna Christine McCann, same day, age 1 year.
Thank you for Reading our Blog.