She hath wings

I have been doing a lot of thinking the last day or so, after learning that a close relative on my mother’s side had passed away. It came as a complete shock, and our family had been looking forward to seeing her towards the end of the month,  but it wasn’t to be.

This dear soul has been through so many health issues over the years, defying the odds and keeping a positive, gentle attitude. She quietly influenced her children, never looking for fanfare. I never once heard her raise her voice, even when in disagreement, she kept calm. She possessed a wealth of knowledge but she saw it as her duty to equip people rather than control their ultimate decision making.

For much of my life I have wanted to leave a giant-sized legacy that the world would recognise. I didn’t see any point in anything less. It was a rather arrogant viewpoint- the notion that worldly recognition would secure my sense of self. It led to a constant feeling of inferiority. It even infected my parenting; I was never good enough unless my ability  measured up to certain people I admired.

Losing my in-laws – quiet, unassuming people, who didn’t want public praise, yet managed to raise several kind-hearted children who knew how to band together in crisis and grow in wisdom, made me start to see things differently. Their lives left little signposts to follow- clear, well-lit places where myself and others could receive clear guidance for life. It was the same with Mum’s relative who died this week. She spent her life equipping and serving others, and in so doing, she left the world a better place and left a very big gaping hole which enables me to feel the loss of her ever more acutely than if she had been famous.

I’m sure I will write on this topic again, as I find new-found freedom in being one of the quiet ones to pass through this journey of life, but for now, may I encourage you to value the little things you do to make the lives of others shine brighter. There is only one sun, and the  rest of us are like the  other little stars in the galaxy. Only a few of us will ever stand out- the rest of us help to light the night sky together, each with an important role. Keep leaving those little sign-posts for others, knowing that you have and you are making an incredible difference.

©️ M.Patterson 10.7.26