It was an ordinary weekday dinner. We were at a local restaurant, Isabella, my ten-year-old granddaughter, and myself. She had brought along a sketchpad and was trying her hand at sketching fashions and designing outfits to match the personalities of her friends and members of her family.
Of course, I was curious about how she would create a fashion that would match my personality. I asked her which qualities she saw in me that would inspire outfits she would design for her grandmother. She replied with three complimentary adjectives. The first was a surprise to me: “peaceful.” Since most of the time I feel far from peaceful, this was a gift that touched my heart. It made me reflect on how I wanted to remain (and truly be) the person I was in this little girl’s eyes.
Her innocent comment made so many years ago, has become a beacon for my life. It has even started me wondering what spiritual legacy I would leave her.
I turned to the words of Saint Paul to Timothy: “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you” (2 Tm 1:5). I have been thinking about my own parents and grandparents, and the spiritual legacy they left me.
We didn’t inherit many material possessions from them, but the spiritual legacy given to us through the witness of their faith has been a more priceless gift.
I can still see my German Lutheran grandmother walking miles to church every Sunday and reading her Bible every day. My Polish grandmother was a devout Catholic and faithfully prayed the Rosary. My dad didn’t express his faith openly, but yet his witness left a lasting impression on me. I can still see him praying his night prayers on his knees and keeping Sundays for rest and family. I often picture him in my mind’s eye, bringing the family to Mass on Sundays, dressed in his best clothes. After my dad’s death, I found a religious medal he had worn during World War II. There was a note in its case, stating that the medal was given to him by his mother when he had gone into the service. He had worn it at all times, even in combat. Dad was certain that the reason he made it home after the war and had not been wounded was because of his mother’s prayers and this medal. I cherish this important memory and will pass it along one day to one of my grandchildren. My mom, for her part, was a faithful member of her Altar Rosary Society and involved in parish activities.
Although my parents and grandparents are no longer with us, they continue to share their gift of faith with me through these memories. Now I think often of the spiritual legacy I want to give my grandchildren. I hope that one day when they think of their grandmother, they’ll remember the quiet talks we enjoyed on the Rosary walks we took together. As I remember my Polish grandmother praying the Rosary daily, I pray that my own grandchildren may be inspired to draw close to Mary, having seen my trust in her through the prayer of the Rosary.
I hope they will develop a sense of generosity and creativity in being a part of the parish community. Being a part of various parish ministries has been a great joy in my life, from serving as a Eucharistic Minister and lector to visiting and praying with the residents of a nursing home. They are so excited when I leave with them a handmade Rosary and a crocheted pouch.
And lastly, one of the aspects of my spiritual legacy that means the most to me is being a Pauline Cooperator. There are so many events and stories that I’ve shared over the years as I’ve prayed, worked, and celebrated with my Pauline Family. Two of the highlights for me were the Cooperator Pilgrimage to Italy in 2010, and the time my four grandchildren and I took part in a Christmas Nativity YouTube video with the Daughters of St. Paul.
What about you? What is going to be your spiritual legacy? No matter what our age, we are never too young to ponder the gift we want to leave behind as a legacy for our family. What aspects of your life would you want to be a warm memory and guide for them to follow?
What might happen if you surprised someone today with an unexpected compliment! My granddaughter’s compliment, so casually given, as we waited for dinner, has changed the way I think about my life. Your compliment could do the same for someone else!
Maryann Toth is a Pauline Cooperator and member of the Pauline Family.