This Too Shall Pass

Yesterday my mother handed me some letters and said "here's wisdom from the grave". Since I have been researching family history for over two years, I thought these were of that nature. Maybe a small hint that would verify a family story or a simple correspondence that gave way to more discussion about topics seldom discussed. Little did I know that the two letters handed to me were portrayals of wisdom, sacrifice, love, pain, strength, dignity, and glory. Both letters addressed to my mother were bound in the power of motherhood and sisterhood. My grandmother's sentences were evidence that she raised her children from "so little" and she was proud that my mother knew she "must have more than what was offered" to her. I was six when this letter was written. My mother was a few months from 40. As a child, I had no idea that my mother harbored a great deal of anxiety and concern. What the issues were at the time, the letter does not state. However, my grandmother bestows my mother with words so powerful that 31 years later I am looking back and praising my mother for my journey and dedicating my movements towards such a glorious reward.

"Don't you feel short about yourself, because you are great and have done great things." -Rosalie Smith (1913 - 2007)