It was one of those incredible moments so hard to describe…
Four generations of ladies, seated at a round table under the canopy of an outdoor café on a glorious summer afternoon. Brilliant sunshine… Warm breeze… Low humidity… Delicious food… Perfect company… Without a doubt, a rare combination of much that I love.
Mother and aunt had come for a visit, and we had the good fortune to share some special vacation time. As both women age each gathering takes on more meaning and importance…
Aunt had left the previous day. But on this one afternoon before great-grandmother had to catch her flight home, four generations of ladies shared an outdoor lunch. The chatter was pleasant; the setting relaxed and uncomplicated. For all the meals and events that my mother has orchestrated over the years, I am thrilled that she had this lovely afternoon to share with her daughter, grand-daughter, and great-granddaughter. Each lady, of varying ages, sensed something special to the occasion…
It was my mother who put words to what we were all sensing — four generations. Four generations of women…
Just after those words were articulated, the youngest of the group began to show those typical signs of toddler restlessness. A few tricks we all knew did not work until I started a clapping game that the little one learned only weeks before. She was delighted by the game that I spontaneously shared with the four seated at the table.
But the moment when the circle of strength defined itself was when we all reached to the person on either side of us to clap hands, unexpectedly flowing into a spontaneous clasp of hands… We held hands for what seemed like the longest time. No one moved. No one said anything. But strangely we all knew that this was truly a “circle of strength” that we had — the cementing of a durable bond that would endure forever.
If only the video camera had been recording…
