a letter from the past brings hope for the future

About a year ago, I discovered a gem among the bookcases in my parents home. My Dad is an avid reader, lover and collector of books. The walls of their home is lined with books.

One evening, after a Sunday dinner, I made my way downstairs to the den that resides just outside my childhood bedroom door. I was searching the Parenting-Help section (yes, they are organized just like a library). There were many old, tattered and torn books. I grabbed about a dozen books that caught my attention. I packed them in a bag and headed home.

About a week later, I found some quiet time so I began sorting through the stack of books I had plopped on my office desk. The first book that caught my attention was this one:

As I opened the front cover, my heart started pounding so fast I thought it was going to jump out of my chest. I couldn't read the words fast enough, but also didn't want this moment to end. I had just discovered a letter to my Mom from my Grandma (her Mother-in-Law). This was a priceless gem from the past that I was so happy to discover. I now knew how paleontologists must feel as they discover hidden treasures from the past. You see, my Grandma passed away over 9-years ago. This discovery was a huge blessing to me. As I read the words, I was instantly weeping and felt my Grandmother's spirit pour over me.

In case you can't read it,

Patty,

You're doing 'great' in my book, but just being great doesn't help those areas in which we have problems and don't have answers.  This book may not have all the answers but it's down to earth, practical and fun reading.  But, remember when you get all your knowledge stored - and something upsets the apple cart - the Holy Ghost is the comforter, Jesus Christ is the Physician and Heavenly Father works through them.  Since you know those things the books are a re-enforcement.

"Ige"

As I sat reading her words over and over again, I felt so blessed to have this incredible advice from my amazing Grandmother who raised 8 incredible children.  I now had her testimony, sealed in ink, right here on the pages of this book.  As I read the book, with my Grandma's testimony in the front and my Mother's highlights on the pages, I felt so much inspiration as a Mother.

While this book has some wonderful ideas (that I have since implemented in my life and will share more of that later), I realized that I already have a legacy of truly amazing women to learn from.  As this new year is beginning, my goal is to learn from my past in order to create more hope for my future.