Being Treasured- Unconditional Love

When I think of happy memories of my husband’s family…it’s with one person who gave me unconditional love, cheered my successes, honed my harvesting skills and refined my true Southern graces. She entrusted in me more meaning of feet under my table in my adult years.

Have you had someone in your life who was your cheerleader? Who truly listened and loved you? Not that we didn’t disagree; but, we celebrated life together. She taught me to garden and can tomato juice; set a beautiful reception table; and host a gathering. There are those gatherings that my family, who rarely interacted with her, still request her marinated vegetable salad…or her pound cake…or my chili made with the tomato juice she taught me to make.

Reminders of that unconditional love?

It’s this time of year that her irises and peonies bloom in my garden and her hostas amaze us all.

Her antiques grace my home to welcome guests, or showcase family photos, or invite someone to share a meal or rest.

It causes me to smile as I rearrange them or reframe them in my home. Her needlework reminds me of the endless time she devoted to creating beauty. Her linens grace my table with a wealth of history in pieces collected by her husband during his World War II stay in Europe.

And then there are things that I have no clue how to display or keep; but she gave them all to me because she treasured me and I was blessed.

The contributions to her community, church and arts are endless. She was a supporter in beginning so much in our community– from our community theater, performing arts center, local symphony, and even instruments for her church. Her charity work was endless and her contributions, vast.

A surprise celebration of her 80th birthday allowed me to bless her in turn with a party to celebrate with all who loved her. With stringed instruments, her favorite flowers and food shared with all, she beamed.

I’ve been enriched so much by her life, the wisdom she shared and the blessings she planted deep in my heart. She is greatly missed. And I know that the garden, pipe organ and choir, and perhaps even that wedding feast table in heaven are all thankful she has arrived.

I hope that someone in your life has made you feel treasured. Loved. Valuable.

Loved with unconditional love.

To celebrate her in this season, I’ll decorate my tables with her peonies and irises and linens. I’ll pull those needlework chairs in closely. And when there are feet under my table next, I’ll have her marinated salad prepared and perhaps her pound cake on the cake stand.