Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Team Teal Tuesday - The Prayer Shawl

Shortly after my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, she received a beautiful prayer shawl as a gift. The shawl had been crocheted by St. Mark's Catholic Community - Boise Prayer Shawl Ministry. I remember visiting my mom shortly after she had received the shawl - I loved it instantly! It was so soft, and the bright colors were so appealing.

{Mom's living room}
In those 20 months that my mom fought ovarian cancer, she would wrap the shawl around herself when she read her daily devotionals, and I'm assuming she prayed with it as well.

Now that Mom has left, we are faced with the task of distributing her belongings. When I asked my sister for a suggestion on what to do with Mom's prayer shawl, her immediate response was, "How about we give it to Judi?" My sister was so right, Judi was the perfect choice for this special prayer shawl! {You may recall a story I wrote about their wonderful friendship here on my blog - my mom and Judi met while receiving chemo last December.}


My step-dad, Rod brought the shawl to me when we met for my nephew's wedding last weekend, and something happened that I wasn't expecting. The shawl smelled like my mom - her wonderful smell - and I buried my face in it time and time again, inhaling the sweet scent of my mother.

{wrapped around me, one last time...}

As I packaged the prayer shawl up to send to Judi, my emotions got the best of me. I didn't want to let it go! I buried my face in it over and over - savoring the scent and torturing myself.

I really didn't want to keep the shawl myself, and I realize that it won't always smell like my mom {so grateful that Rod hadn't washed it!}. Knowing how honored Judi would be to receive it gave me that extra little push to put it in the box and tape it up. I honestly felt my mom with me at the post office that day. Her love surrounded me and comforted me as I let go of this sweet little piece of her. I knew my mom wanted Judi to have her shawl.

And we were right - Judi loved receiving the prayer shawl. I know in my heart that my mom is smiling down from up above, knowing that her dear friend is wrapped in the warmth and love of her special prayer shawl. It's right where it belongs.

Isn't it awesome the way this universe works?

19 comments:

Sian said...

I remembered the post about Judi as soon as you mentioned her - and I thought again how wonderful that she has the thoughts of lots of people she hasn't met simply through the power of the internet.

It's a beautiful shawl and I'm glad you took that picture of yourself with it before packing it up

Cheri said...

Yes, I love how the Universe works! And so glad to know that you are at peace with the decision to let the shawl go.

Ruth said...

I really have to echo what Cheri and Sian have said. xx

Ginger said...

Hi Deb :) The shawl is incredibly beautiful with such vibrant colors! What a beautiful gift for Judi :)

Barbara@Sweet Serendipity said...

Yes, the universe works beautifully when we allow it too! This is the sweetest post, you brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart with this!

scrappyjacky said...

Ye...I remember your post about Judi....I'm sure you made the right decision giving that lovely shawl to her....and I can feel your mom smiling about it.

debs14 said...

I remember that post, and believe that you have made the right decision. I'm so pleased that you took the photo of you wearing it before you sent it off, it will be lovely to look back on in days to come.

Anonymous said...

I am sure that the shawl will mean all the more to Judi knowing it belonged to Marti and that you were kind enough to put her feelings before your own and give it to her x

Amy said...

I think the shawl is where it is meant to be :-)

Maria Ontiveros said...

Hugs to you for being such a beautiful person. This post made me bawl like a little baby.
Rinda

furrypig said...

oh another beautiful post Deb, smells can be so evocative it must have given you pleasure and pain at the same time sending hugs xxx

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

Beautiful deb! what a touching story and a generous gift. Bless you for passing it on. And remember sweetie, love never dies. She'll always be with you. xoxoxo

Lisa-Jane said...

Oh wow, that must have been hard to let that go and yet want someone else to have it too. I'm glad you got another "hug" from your Mum. Sometimes things pop up unexpectedly and are just mean't to be. xx

Margaret said...

I hav e mixed feelings just reading this. You did a wonderful thing.

Denise said...

Hugs to you Deb-I know that 'scent ' feeling. Bless you for passing it on. A very touching post today xx

Beverly said...

Had to get the kleenex for this one. I kept one of my Grandaddy's dress shirts because of his scent. The smell has long gone but it still hangs in my closet. I love the photo of you wrapped up in it but absolutely think you have passed it on to where your mom would want it and where it will wrap Judi up in prayers.

humel said...

Oh, Deb. How beautiful. I'm glad for the comfort and memories it brought you, but glad also you found the strength to let it go - Judi is already being blessed by it, and so are you for passing it on. But oh, well done for taking that precious photo! xx

Alison said...

Judy is indeed the perfect recipient for that beautiful shawl...well done you for letting it go
Alison xx

Anonymous said...

Oh what a lovely thing to do. I'm sure Judi will love it, especially knowing that it was your Mum's. I'm glad you took that picture of you wrapped up in it.

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