The smile lit up her face as she held the garment up. For 68 years it had been lovingly stored in her cedar chest. Yellowed with age, the lace and seams were brittle, still the garment was beautiful and filled with memories – her wedding dress.
Memories
Have you recently lost a parent? Being there for a surviving parent and helping them parse through their possessions is a sacred process.
My Dad passed away in February of 2021 and I travelled home in November to be with Mom and go through their things. In many ways I felt like I was dismantling her life.
Each item held a memory of long ago. Shared love and lives well lived. We were getting rid of her past and preparing for what is to come. As we went through closets and drawers deciding what to keep, toss or donate I felt heartless and at times cruel as I relegated things to the junk pile.
Like Dad
My Dad was a keeper of ledgers and paper things.
His job with CN required that he keep meticulous records and he carried that home.
It was a revelation to go through those ledgers. Every bank statement was painstakingly balanced.
I came to realize that I am my father’s daughter as I too have a love for numbers and love my ledgers.
Bible
We found his first Bible.
On the inside page he recorded the date that he accepted Christ as his Savior. He lived his life in light of that decision and never looked back.
Thank you, Dad, thank you Mom, you loved my brother and me. You did your best and we are so grateful.
Love, Jocelyn
Have you lost a parent recently? What kind of things did you find yourself required to carry out in love? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post. Thank you
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