Sum of Influence

 

My mother gave all of her siblings and children a 'book' binder for Christmas;

a story she has been writing for over a decade that began

the day she was born and shared in her words some of her life

up until her marriage to my dad!

As I read it I marveled over and over what a lovely, wonderful mother we had

long before she was a mother!

(this, I am sure was not her reason for writing the book)

this is my observation as she shares some of the memories 

and lessons she documented over the years

and put in a book as a memento for future generations, to peek into the past

and help us appreciate the pieces of lives that have helped to shape our own!

My mom and dad were such faithful

(not perfect, but faithful) examples of faith

and the older we get the more we value the priceless gift

our childhoods were and the foundation they laid for our

own journeys of faith for this life. 

Life can evoke a sense of sacred threads placed into our hands

that only by God's grace and through His Word  

can we weave them into something of value

for future generations to cling to!

Our grandson turns four today!

The next generation is wasting no time in growing up too fast!

From this...

...to this in the twinkle of an eye

(and a few groans😉)

He is quite a character!!

How manifold the pieces of 

what makes our life and shapes our love 

How hidden are so many parts 

of other people’s hopes and hearts 

that ever-deftly intertwine 

the tendrils of the family vine 

to weave with circumstance and choice 

the mentor of tomorrow’s voice 

as influence unfolds its sum 

in generations yet to come 

© Janet Martin