My father’s sister, Jean Belford, and I shared many good memories on her farm when I was growing up. Slopping the hogs, milking the cows, feeding the chickens, and baling hay…but there was one particular event we participated in before her passing that still makes me smile and we shared something that has now become very special to me… “spiritual or inspirational sayings.”
What started as simple words of encouragement gradually became a meaningful tradition between me and my aunt. Whenever one of us came across a saying that spoke to the heart, we would share it with the other. Sometimes it was a short reminder to have faith, sometimes a message about love and forgiveness, and other times it was simply a few words that seemed to arrive at exactly the right moment.
These sayings followed us through different seasons and periods of our lives. When things were going well, we shared words about gratitude and appreciating the blessings around us. During difficult times, our messages became reminders to stay strong, trust the journey, and believe that better days would come. Even when we did not know exactly what the other person was going through, a spiritual saying would often arrive at just the right time.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending”
I always appreciated the way my aunt shared these messages. She did not simply tell them to me because they sounded nice. There was usually a deeper meaning behind them. Sometimes, after reading one, I would find myself thinking about it for the rest of the day. A simple sentence can make me look at a situation differently or remind me of something I may have forgotten.
Our exchanges also showed me how much wisdom can be passed from one generation to another. My aunt had experienced things in her life that I had not. Through her words, I could learn about patience, faith, compassion, and resilience. At the same time, I believe the sayings I shared with her became part of our connection too. It feels less like one person teaching another and more like two people reminding each other of what truly mattered.
My aunt has been gone for a long time now, but I still recall the conversations and the countless sayings that we had passed between us. Some I remember very clearly, while others may have faded from memory, but the feeling behind them remains. Each message was a small expression of love. They remind me that we do not always need long conversations to let someone know we care. Sometimes a few meaningful words can say everything.
Looking back, I realize these messages are pieces of the relationship we shared and little reminders of the common bond we had. I am grateful for that nostalgic tradition because it has taught me that spirituality can be found in everyday moments and simple acts of love. I will always treasure those little messages and the deeper connection they represent.
