The Best Gift

One of the best gifts we received this Christmas was from my husband’s mother.  She wrote her life story, inserted photographs, had it printed and bound, and gave it to each of her children and grandchildren.  Amid all the wrapping paper, bows, and still-unopened presents, we sat and read her book.  I was deeply touched by this gift.  It didn’t contain all the details of her life, and she got some of the facts wrong about events that happened to her children, but that didn’t matter.  This life story was a collection of her remembrances, the things she thought were important to share with her posterity.  I enjoyed reading about her childhood, learning about the events that were significant to her, and seeing the photographs of her when she was young.  In the course of her long life, she has seen great joy and deep sorrow.   There were times that she made mistakes, but there were sublime moments when she was able to do great good.  Her courage, faith, and love shone through her story.  I am very grateful that she took the time to write this little history and share it with us.  It is a gift beyond compare, for when she is gone, her story will live on, treasured by her family.