A Tribute to Aunt Theresa
Yesterday my daughter Lia and I attended the 90th birthday celebration of my precious Aunt Theresa, the wife of my father's deceased brother, my Uncle Steve. Aunt Theresa didn't know we were coming and was delighted to see us.
As we reminisced over times past and over the many changes that had occurred in my hometown area of Pennsylvania, I couldn't help but be moved by the swift passage of time. In the room where we gathered, four generations were represented, from my Aunt Theresa down to her great-grandchildren.
What I love most about Aunt Theresa is her moral strength. As the mother of four children, one of whom was born with cerebral palsy and who died only a few years ago, Aunt Theresa inspired me during my childhood with her unswerving faith and her strength in the midst of the most difficult circumstances. She never complained and bravely faced serious trials with courage and equanimity.
Aunt Theresa is one of my unsung heroes. She reminds me that we never know who is watching us. She probably never realized I was watching her closely as I was growing up. She probably never realized how her attitude impacted me and still does.
Just as we don't always know who is watching us, we rarely know who is reading our writing. Is your writing such that it will impact generations?
Just as my Aunt Theresa has lived with her eye on the Lord, so may we write with our eye on the Lord. As we do, we cannot help but write words that will inspire and encourage.
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. What's yours? :)
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Comments
Mary Ann, I seem to always relate so quickly to your "musings." My mother celebrated her 91st birthday on May 29 and is still living alone and "going" strong. Her faith and her positive attitude has been an example to all her family and friends. My prayer has been that my writing and my life would be an example to my children and grandchildren in years to come. Thank you for reminding that we are always writing for those coming after us. Clella
MaryAnn; this is a lovely musing. How wonderful to have a beloved Aunt Theresa. You and I both grew up in Pennsylvania, and we both lived on streets with the same name: Spruce St. I also had an Uncle Steve. I also believe that we don't know who is watching us, so we must always live in the Light of the Lord, and use our words wisely.
I needed to read this today. Thanks, MaryAnn. I'm afraid I too often think of the editor I must please in order to reach the reader, but you're right about impacting those generations of readers.
Thank you MaryAnn for your words about my Grandmom. It is great to see people we love through the eyes of someone else.
Dear MaryAnn, what a great heritage you have! And the verse Pam mentioned is very special to me, too. May those words be the prayer of every Christian, writer or whatever, because we all leave an example, whether we realize it or not. rose
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What a wonderful musing, Mary Ann! I do keep in mind the generations of kids who may read my stuff. The Scripture on my letterhead is, "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord." Psalm 102:18 NIV