The blog post for this week was already written, edited and almost scheduled.
Then I had second thoughts.
It was a post about my mother and shared one of the family secrets she told me years ago. I felt it was a great post, and I hoped it would interest my followers as well as give them insights into the life of my mother.
But somehow – I couldn’t post it.
Mom is an extrovert but she has also been a rather private person, hiding her secrets in a sacred soul place. That’s what women in her demographic learned to do.
Never would she have shared her life via social media nor would she want me to do that by proxy for her. I understand. Further, I respect that piece of her personality and choose to keep aspects of her life – and ultimately my family’s life – private.
I know some of the secrets because I snooped in her hope chest years ago and read the beautiful love letters my parents wrote to each other.
Other secrets were told to me by caring and not-so-caring relatives while my instincts picked up on some of the more private stories. When I asked Mom to explain these missing pieces of history, she pursed her lips and changed the subject.
Off limits – even though I am family.
So just because I am a writer, that does not give me license to share with the world all about my mother’s life.
I will say simply that she lived life well. She raised three children and loved her husband with all her heart. She served as a nurse, made sure each of us checked out books from the library each week and inspected our ears after bath time.
And because I respect her and the life she lived, I will keep her secrets in that sacred place of my own soul – a pact between us that no one else needs to know.
I love you, Mom.
©2015 RJ Thesman – Author of the Reverend G Books http://www.crossrivermedia.com/portfolio/1624/gallery/fiction/
Honor is a beautiful thing.
Yes it is. Thanks, Cindy.
What a beautiful post. I share your thinking on this one. Nothing is sacred anymore, not even our most intimate thoughts and moments.
Agreed! We all have those special moments. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, kept some secrets and pondered them in her heart.
Your reasons for keeping some things private is very similar to some of my reasons and reticence to write about family members. ~sk
Suzan, I agree with you—that’s the loving thing to do.
Agreed and sometimes – a delicate balance.
Understandable! Respect is a two-way street. Thanks, SuZan.
I was touched by what you wrote about respecting privacy of an Alzheimer’s PERSON. Person, she is. I can tell you are prayerfully following the Golden Rule.
Thank you, Charlotte. I appreciate the encouragement that I’m doing the right thing.
Beautiful and something we should all keep in front of mind.
Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate your comment.
There’s something to be said for privacy. It’s so rare these days. I think it’s wonderful you would do that. The Lord doesn’t always reveal the ‘why’ the ‘how’ the ‘what’ of everything either. The relationship we have with Him and what He does reveal about Himself is more than adequate. Blessings!
So true, Jennifer. Thank you for your comment!
I love this and the picture. Where did you find it? My mom was a nurse for many years and she also had many secret-soul things she kept to herself (and as an introvert, she was extremely quiet in keeping those secrets).
Thx for this reminder. blessings bea >
Ah – we are both daughters of nurses. Another connection between us! The picture was on Facebook and shareable.
I know how easy it is to tell those secret things to friends and family. We want to tell the stories because telling makes the story real. But, we must remember that in respect for our loved one we must keep these secrets to protect their privacy. I have found this hard because I want to share the wonderful things I know about my parents relationship. Thank you for the reminder
It’s a delicate balance, for sure. Somehow we have to convey the good memories and what we have learned together without losing any integrity. I’m sure you do it well !