THE GREATEST GIFT

The greatest gift you can give your child is living a life worth emulating. 

The last gift I received from my mother before she died was a beautiful sapphire and diamond ring. I remember her taking my hand in hers while she removed the ring off her own finger and placed it on mine. It fit perfectly and felt warm to the touch.I looked at her wide-eyed and before I could protest she said, “I want you to have it now while my hands are still warm.”She smiled, gave me a hug and walked into her kitchen to prepare her supper.

This lovely gesture was one of many my mother made throughout her life. Whenever I wear the ring it conjures up lovely memories. How pretty the ring looked on her alabaster hand. How I admired it throughout my childhood.  How she let me wear it whenever I played dress up. But mostly I remember her words. “I want you to have it now while my hands are still warm.” These are words born of love but there is a deeper message to be learned. I know she loved that ring and rarely had it off her finger. How empty her hand must have felt without the ring to grace it. And yet she so generously and quietly parted with it.

I learned a lot from my mother over the years about unconditional, enduring love,
sacrifice, hard work and the strength of family bonds. But mostly I learned how
to be a kind and decent person and ultimately a good mother. Even though she is
gone her generous spirit and positive attitude informs me throughout my life.
That is the legacy she left me which I hope I can leave for my daughters.

As I am about to celebrate my daughter’s milestone birthday I too want to give her something of mine that she loves and admires now while my hands are still warm. My heart races with excitement as I think of the look on her face when I slip my antique gold bracelet off my wrist onto hers. The bracelet she often begged me to let her wear while she was playing dress up. The bracelet she used to run her fingers over when we cuddled on the bed. I know my mother’s spirit will be with us when I surprise my daughter with this gift. And I will use my mother’s words to carry on this special tradition.

You too can experience the heartwarming story of a daughter’s love and a mother’s legacy at the only performance of The God Box in our area by NY Times
bestselling author and actress Mary Lou Quinlan. There will be a talk back after the performance and a lovely reception with refreshments where Mary Lou will sign her keepsake book.  Don’t miss this opportunity. Tickets are limited

The God Box, a daughter’s story A One Woman Performance

Saturday May 25th at 2 PM

Applewood Estates Performing Arts Center
1 Applewood Dr. Freehold NJ 07728

For Tickets Visit www.giers.org or call 732-577-1076

Proceeds benefit GIERS: Grief
Information Education & Recovery Services