Unbeknownst to my parents, my older sister and I would wink and stick our tongues out at each other, or kick each other with our feet while trying to get the other to laugh. Whomever squealed would get in trouble by the blessing sayer.
But it was also during those blessed meals with eyes closed and heads bent, my sister would reach over to my knee and softly press three fingers one at a time on the top of my leg.
It was our code.
Or I guess you say it was handed down from my Grandmother and Mother.
One of those things you'll never forget and always remember. Each finger pressed, meant one word. "I love you."
And we would always both look up and smile at each other, because then in that moment you'd remember the faces of those loved and lost and still present and you'd remember each other.
And still to this day I'd surprise my sister with those three words from fingers pressed and she still smiles and remembers.
Those were the days.
Grace was blessed and the blessed sayer would pray for country and men and friends and foe and for blood that washed away sins, never forgetting to give praise to the glory of a good God.
The blessings always seemed to be the same with different words placed sporadically here and there with the usual ending of, "Amen" and a chime in from Mama who would say, and "Thank you God for this food," as if the blessing itself had forgotten to bless the food.
Those were the days. Those days of endless evening meals, dish wash after supper.
One would wash.
One would dry and one would inspect, of course that was the blessing sayer as well.
You'd never think it, that something so ordinary as saying grace becomes a blessing with many memories made around tables and across plates.
A blessing that can be had by all, by all who give grace.
I so enjoyed your very eloquent post about you and your sister's code, the remembrances from your childhood, and the beautiful photos. They all took me back to the "signal" I initiated with my son and daughter when they were tiny. They haven't forgotten it and now, at almost-31 and 28, they still "send" it, and it never fails to warm my heart. Thank you for sharing -- your words added joy to my evening, and I'm glad we were FMF neighbors this week.
ReplyDeleteGrace is such a beautiful giftM
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sweet post...and Bonnie, you can tell the little dude in the Batman t-shirt that my wfe has one just like it, and she wears it to work on casual Fridays.
ReplyDeleteThe blessing of grace. Love your post this week, friend. I'm #13 at #FMF. Have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, my parents taught us one of those mealtime prayers "God is Great. God is Good. Let us thank You for our food." My siblings and I still talk about it today. Thank you so much for sharing your memories. They reminded me of my own childhood. I hope you have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, such a poignant post. I enjoyed reading about the one-at-a-time finger presses. Early in our marriage Hubs and I developed an unspoken way of saying, "I love you" by squeezing each other's hand 3 times--one per word. I've done it with our boys. And now they do it back to me at random moments in the day. Makes my heart full. I love the memories you have of saying grace at your table. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the pictures more than I can say even though it hurts I have to admit, but it's ok!
ReplyDeleteCall me anonymous on purpose, but I think you will figure out who I am pretty quick!
Josh should guess pretty quick!
"Greetings from the prickly heat world ministries!"
DeleteShalom! And it's been almost 12 years since the wedding!
Josh and I hope you've been doing well brother!
"Has the harlequin emerged from the woods?"
Hopefully your enjoying these words of mine!
Be filled forever with the Spirit!