Leaning on the Family Tree

The older woman looks across the table at the Granddaughter. Her eyes beaming with pride. So young, so full of life.

The younger woman sits and enjoys her time with her Grandmother. She loves her Grandma and respects her. Its a simple relationship for now.

The young woman doesn’t yet understand how important the older woman will be. She can’t see the future. She can’t see the trials that await her in her own life. The sorrow and the suffering to come. She can’t imagine how the words and actions of this small white-haired woman will guide her through the times that lay ahead. For now, she just enjoys the moment. Tea with her Grandma.

Her Grandma smiles, her blue eyes sparkling. This woman is always quick with a laugh or a joke. Her long elegant fingers wrinkled with age reach for the tea pot. The young woman lifts her china cup. Her Grandma insists on china for tea. She watches steadily and moves her cup as her Grandma pours. The old woman has lost her depth perception and the younger woman moves her cup, so the tea doesn’t spill on the table. It’s a dance they do often. They are practiced at it.

Her Grandma giggles as they finish. “We did it” she says, putting the tea pot down. The two women sit. Idle conversation passes, nothing of importance is said, but love is shared. The older woman gives her time to her Granddaughter.

This act is trivial. Of no importance to anyone or anything. Kingdoms rise, countries fall. This tea-time matters to no one. Except the old woman and the young woman.

The old woman becomes a guiding force, even after her death she is a lighthouse. She has shared her life, her faith and her time with her Granddaughter. She has given her an example of how to handle times of trial.

When the Granddaughter grows and encounters hard times, she is thankful. Thankful for her Grandmother and her legacy. Grateful for the old woman who chose to share her life and love.