As I look into the mirror what do I see?
I see many generations of women who came before me. Recently as I was evaluating myself(a complex self diagnostic!) I realized that I am a clone of my grandmother! Like a ton of bricks falling into place all at once a loud resounding gong! You are Wilma Grace!
I love my mother with all my heart! We have a blast when we are together. Our personalities though similar in some areas are very different. It is great to talk through things and listen to what she has to say. I feel like I am with a sister I never had. A road trip to town with my mother(Cathi), my aunt (Brenda) , my cousin (Christina), myself and Wilma Grace will yield an afternoon of nonstop laughter and lessons one can only experience! Grace being the leader of our troop! On any given occasion she will most definately exclaim to one of us " I am still your mother"! Althought this doesn't really pertain to Christina or I we get the point anyway!!!
The other day when I was visiting my grandmother I notice many similarities in our thought process and patterns of behavior which we always get a good laugh over! It has never occurred to me how much alike we are until this week!
Thursday evening I attended a gathering at a friends house. We decided to all get together, simple, no frills, a few drinks and finger food! It was fabulous! We talked about our lives, told stories, laughed, and reflected on how women should fellowship with one another on a regular basis. Sharing details of our lives connects us and gives us a checkpoint of what other people are feeling and experiencing.
I remember being younger and feeling very disconnected when my kids were babies. I didn't talk to adults on a regular basis! My concerns and fears seemed to spiral out of control and overwhelm me. If only I knew what the range of normal was for that time period in my life!
My grandparents house was always a place of refuge! On both sides, my mothers and fathers, I had wonderful grandparents! Childhood memories of farm life, creeks, breakfast in bed, homemade hot cocoa, and journeys into town to shop are so vivid I can't believe that was over 20 years ago! I identify with Wilma Grace so well because I am soooo much like her! My dad's mom has given me the gardening, cooking, old south genes for sure! My dream for retirement is a farmhouse, large pond, orchard, canning, wide brimmed hat....I'll stop here! Ha!
Wilma Grace taught my mother, my aunt, and myself so many things! Observing her and laying a foundation for the future without even realizing we were doing so. She is always our checkpoint for how to act in any given situation, including losing our temper! I have recently mended the fence with a neighbor I hadn't spoken to since last June! I was just telling my mom and grandma it wasn't a big deal I never see her and aren't around her enough for it to matter. That day God placed her BAM! right in my lane at the grocery store...unavoidable! We said hi and started chatting as if nothing had passed between us. I looked up and said O.K., O.K., I hear you Lord!
As I carry myself from day to day, I am reminded almost from hour to hour what would Wilma or Mary do? Both my grandmothers seem to handle everything with such beauty and grace...(Wilma's Grace seems the perfect title for this blog) !
Wilma has always poked fun at her alter ego..(Grace). We have blamed that alter ego for everything from burning rolls to saying inappropriate things to others...including my grandfather! Grace could get away with things that we would never dream of. She would just exclaim it was "Grace"! As we would all laugh until we hurt!
I feel very blessed to know such wonderful people. That they have influenced my life in such profound ways never ceases to amaze me. We can learn so much from the women in our lives. They have lived through it all. The Journey that we are now taking has been traveled by many. On this journey it would only benefit us to listen to the ones who have gone before us and the ones traveling with us.
From this day forward I am listening, gathering, and always learning from them. Pick up the phone, send an e-mail, or drop by the friends and family that shape and have shaped your life....It is the healing we all need to feed our souls!~
Thats all for now...
In Wilma's Grace
Stephanie
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