Some meals feed the stomach; other meals feed the soul. This meal would provide nourishment on both counts. Thus, the “feeding began” with a few words of initial impartation from my heart to hers.
“Tell me a little about yourself. Where did you come from, and why are you here?”
“I’m from Arizona, although it’s not really my point of origin, and I’m here with my daughter this weekend. I’ve never been to She Speaks before, but I wanted to come and see what the buzz is all about. Mostly I came to support her. Can I show you something?”
(Honestly, she could have shown me a pair of nail clippers at that point; she “had me” at her words about “point of origin.”) Instead of nail clippers, she pulled out a copy of the newly released book by Glynnis Whitwer, I Used to Be So Organized: Help for Reclaiming Order and Peace.
“My daughter wrote this book, and she dedicated it to me; I didn’t even know it until today.”
She opened the book to the dedication page, and we read the words together. Her name was written there—in print and on display as a lasting memorial to the parenting investment … the loving deposits, she’s made into the life of her daughter over the years. Glynnis obviously “had her mother” with these initial words of personal dedication. It was a Kodak moment, at least of the heart kind—one that I mentally snapped and reflected upon throughout the remainder of the evening.
I watched them as they broke bread with one another and wondered about how many tables they’ve shared over the years. The evening was filled with little moments of mother-daughter give-and-take. Caring for one another in simple ways. Passing the salt. Passing softly spoken messages. Passing the tissue box. Passing touches. Passing love.
At one point in the evening, my new friend gently placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. It remained there throughout the serenade beautifully voiced through Michael O’Brien. I could barely contain my tears while witnessing this love pass from a mother to her daughter. A stretch of grace from a mother’s womb to the fruit of that womb.
A grace-filled tribute to legacy.
The keynote speaker for the evening spoke of legacy. Ann Voskamp challenged us in regards to those “book/movie trailers” we’re creating for the next generation. What seeds are we planting? What trails are we blazing? What steps are we marking? What stones are we gathering? What remembrances are we collecting? What will be the lasting memorial of our earthly tenures?
As the evening drew to a close, I thought about the “book trailer” that I had just watched unfold before me at the table. Not the one on the stage screen, but on the screen closer at hand—the 3D, in the flesh trailer that rubbed elbows with me throughout dinner. Clip after clip of loving legacy between a mother and her daughter. I’m not sure anyone else noticed it, but I was privileged to sit ringside to its witness. As I prepared to leave our time of fellowship, I looked at my new friend and said…
“This is the book trailer; the way you love your daughter and the way that she obviously loves you in return … this is the trailer that matters. Keep to it … keep to your loving.”
Weary and worn from a day’s worth of peddling my words to publishers, I threw a few more out there; not on behalf of myself, but rather to validate and commemorate a precious love between a parent and a child.
Legacy–a trailer we leave for the next generation.
- Traveling with the ones we love.
- Talking about the ones we love.
- Touching the shoulders of the ones we love.
Not a bad formula for making a life-trailer. Traveling. Talking. Touching. What better words of final benediction could be spoken over our lives? I want them to be spoken of me one day.
She traveled with us. She talked about us. She touched us with her love.
This is the book trailer, friends. The one that matters. Keep to it … keep to your traveling, your talking, and your touching this week. And thank you, new friend, for being willing to rub elbows with me. You had me at your “point of origin.” As always…
Peace for the journey,
~elaine
PS: Leave a comment to be entered into a give-away for Glynnis Whitwer’s new book, I Used to Be So Organized. There will be another give-away with my next post for one of Michael O’Brien’s CD’s. Shalom.
Beautiful – as usual. The "one thing" for me? "Keep to your loving."
(Come to think of it, those are HIS main words to His followers, aren't they?!)
Thank you for your beautiful words. The trailer for Ann's book compelled me, made me, choose a child, a real person, from the compassion table. God called me to it, and it would have been easier to cut off my arm than put that little boy back in the stack. Praying this morning that he knows there is someone halfway around the world praying for him right now. May my life be a trailer of the kingdom to come. (Haven't told my husband yet, lol. Pray for that.)
Just beautiful my friend. The sharing of God's Word and your heart always has me from the opening line of your "trailer". Your "advertisement" if you will, for the feature film of a life lived for and through Christ always has me returning for sequels to the story. The selected shots that you piece together captivate and increase my longing, not only for more of the story, but to be a main character in the story as I allow the Lord to make my life a "trailer" for His glory and His renown. Thank you my dear friend for always being used to call me closer and encouraging me to travel, talk and touch for Christ alone.
Thankful for the eyes of love He gave you that captured this moment so truth could be shared.
Hugs and love,
Joy
I can't think of a better legacy to leave for my family and friends than that trailer:
"She traveled with us. She talked about us. She touched us with her love."
Such a touching and inspiring post, Elaine. Love you.
"Not a bad formula for making a life-trailer. Traveling. Talking. Touching. What better words of final benediction could be spoken over our lives?"
Now THAT'S meaningful to me.
And sweet Melanie, you do it so well. Wearing Andrew around your neck… well, I just might have to write about that one as well. You travel with him, talk about him, and touch him with every remembrance you give to us. Thank you for letting us know him via your mother's heart. I love you.
peace~elaine
Elaine,
It's been a while since I've visited blogs. I saw on FB that you had written of your time at She Speaks… so I came to visit. I used to have the blog, "Jewelz Sightings"…. We chatted a few times over the book, "Anonymous"… a couple years back. I've recently started a new blog… I need a fresh new start… So glad to see a glimpse of your time. Good to visit here again. Peace…
I knew you'd return filled to the brim! And that you are.
"Not a bad formula for making a life-trailer. Traveling. Talking. Touching." It's where my heart has been these recent months. I totally get the traveling & talking part; and now I'm pondering the "touching"s. So, so good to consider!
Looking forward to hearing more …
Thank you for this lovely tribute to my mother. Everything I've learned, was first learned at her knew.
I know she was proud of me, but I was prouder to show her off to my friends.
You are a beautiful woman and a beautiful writer. Thank you for this. It made my day.
Sorry -that last post was from me. I hit "anonymous" on accident. 🙂
Elaine, you sound so renewed. So refreshed. So inspired. God is doing something in you and through you and it is GOOD. Thank you for allowing me to be there "with" you in spirit.
My heart is filled today after reading this post. I have a smile to start my day… and can't wait for my son to wake up from his summer slumber so that I can continue the legacy.
Thanks for giving us a glimpse of what this time was for you; looking forward to more. Love you and praying for you!
I could not keep the tears away while reading this eloquent account of the legacy of this particular mother and daughter! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Your words…"keep to your traveling, your talking, and your touching "…touched a chord in my heart today. That's what I want to do also!
Love you much my dear friend !!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Beautiful words as usual Elaine. Thank you.
I would love to rub elbows with you at the table next year at She Speaks. I've already saved most of it, and I plan to be there.
So glad you noticed the details that could have slid by unnoticed. You're good at that. And I hope you're feeling stronger these days.
You always see so much Elaine and your always so eloquently record it. What a blessing you shared and bring to us today. I look forward to hearing more!!!
{{HUGS}}
Believing Him~Pamela
Thank you for your words today. There's nothing better than bonding with those you love, especially a daughter. Sharing, loving, and touching are words for encouragement.
I pray those bonds become stronger with our short time on earth. An inspiration indeed!
I can tell your heart is full, dear Elaine.
Been eagerly waiting for your first story after your return from She Speaks.
Loved this post, for I too am a mother of one daughter, a daughter who has a very very special place in my heart.
I was privileged to spend six weeks in Manila where this my youngest "baby" now works as an assistant team manager of a prestigious global bank. And just the night before my return flight to my home city of Bacolod, she and I had another deep conversation. She said, "Mama, you may not know it but I am like you in many ways… because I am watching you live your life, and I am learning so much from you."
That is why the story you shared was so meaningful to me.
What will be the lasting memorial of our earthly tenures?
This question sums up the goal of my life, Elaine.
And I want to tell you soemthing. FOr me, you never "peddle" your words, dear friend. That is never never never how I see what you write. Your words are so precious to me… and I am sure to everyone else who have walked with you long enough in your journey to appreciate your worth.
You are deeply loved and valued, Elaine.
Lidj
So beautiful!! Obviously legacy is a special concept to me. I would have loved to have heard Ann's message on it.
Who better to go to She Speaks — thank YOU!!! I'd love a chance to win the book — but guess what? — I'm coming to NC and making a special stop to see YOU!!!! That is if you're going to be around over Labor Day weekend?? I'll email you with the rest of the story……
[[HUGS]] Stephanie
PS: What your snail mailbox in the next few days too!!
What a beautiful post. It reminded me how grateful I am for my two grown daughters and how I need to keep letting them know how much they are loved.
Elaine, you are so beautiful- both inside and out!
beautiful.
and kind of perfect for me to read today on my mother's birthday. thankful i have her to travel with, talk with and touch with my love.
What a beautiful post!
What a beautiful and thoughtful post! Your words "traveled", "talked" and "touched" have been echoing in my brain today as I have been with my husband and girls. Do they know we traveled together today? Do they feel like I talked with them and at them? Do they feel like I touched their sweet lives and loved them? Did I live the trailer in front of them that pointed to Jesus?
Beautiful as always. Thank you for pausing to pen with purpose. I love you.
Oh my, I type this with tear streaked cheeks. You know my issues with mother/daughter relationships…so heartened to hear about Glynnis and her Mom.
Blessings to you dear one.
Keep to the Loving.
Jess
You know how I like books on organization so I'm happy to be included for a chance at the book!
I love that you got to meet this woman and experience the exchange between her and her daughter. I do not have that kind of relationship with my mother and the trailer of my life in that regard isn't as warm, but hopefully the one between my daughters and me is a much more postive one.
Elaine,
I referenced your post on my blog that no one visits. But maybe it will be read and enjoyed by someone. Thanks again for such inspiring thoughts about Legacy!
http://www.motherdaughtertango.blogspot.com
wifeforthejourney:
While the world moves by at such a fast pace, it is so good to have you in my life to notice the "little things." How many of us miss out on life because we don't have an eye for detail like you do? Thanks for sharing this story; its more than a "trailer!"
Love,
Billy
It sounds like you were Blessed with more than just meetings with publishers and inspiring lectures Elaine.
I pray that my "trailer" will have some vestige of the depth and success that you witnessed this past weekend. 🙂
Welcome back, and Have a Blessed Day!
I love reading about great mother-daughter relationships probably because I didn't have one. I gravitate toward the older women at my church. Some I have more special relationships with than others. One wonderful "girlfriend" spent the night with me this last Friday night, and we had such a fabulous time. I hated to see her go. James always said if he died before I did, the church would be my family, and he's so right. I'm blessed beyond reason to have such a loving church family. Thanks for this great post.
Well I just knew you would return filled up! Your words make me smile, and the heart behind them has become a valued friend.
The comments I've just scrolled through are priceless. So many expressions that have to bless your socks off!
Lidj said it beautifully… and I agree with all of the comments. YOU are a treasure Elaine.
xo
Oh, Faith Elaine, how I love you. You know your heart just shines. In all the takeaways…you walk away with the love. I am so proud to call you friend. What a beautiful book your life writes.
I am not sure how I missed this yesterday as I was soo waiting to hear how this all went for you. And now that I have finally read this I am as blessed as I knew I would be. The relationship between mother and daughter just couldn't be described better than you have done here. I love that you shared what you witnessed there between them. How precious. You just summed it all up soo perfectly.
traveled,talked and touched. I LOVE it! Soo glad you were able to go and all went well. HUGS, Debbie
A beautiful portrait. Thanks for sharing your rich insights.
I'm thrilled that Glynnis lives not far from me. Not that this really increases my likelihood of grabbing a cup of coffee with her anytime. LOL. Sitting in her session I felt that if I never studied in another writing class and only diligently applied the tools she had given me I would be well equipped. Listening to her made me feel smarter by osmosis.
It was neat to hear just a tidbit of the story behind the story, the woman behind the woman.
Love this. Love you.