GRANDMA'S OLD MIRROR

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. (AMP)


GRANDMA'S OLD MIRROR


There used to be an old mirror with beveled edges and white intricate embossing across the bottom, it hung behind my Grandma’s bedroom door.

When I was about four years old, Grandma would hold me up and I would peer into the mirror. There was always the cutest little brown eyed girl with golden hair smiling back at me. She was always giggling with her eyes wide and bright. I never did know why Grandma kept it behind her bedroom door.

Behind my bedroom door hangs that same mirror. Today when I looked into the old mirror, the little brown-eyed girl was gone. I could almost see my Grandma looking back at me.

I never considered why Grandma had wrinkles, or why she seemed to have such strength behind her tired eyes. Or why, why, why? I could go on and on. I saw the same wrinkles today as that woman in the mirror looked back at me, I saw her tired eyes. Now I know the answer to those wrinkles and tired eyes. Some are not actually wrinkles, but lines caused by the laughter and joy my children and grandchildren have given me. The late nights of worry and crying out to God on my knees for the souls of my children and loved ones, and the sadness of losing Grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts are forever etched upon the soul and deep within my heart. These tired eyes give witness to this.

As I grew older I did consider maybe Grandma kept the old mirror behind her door out of vanity. A woman can sure get upset over aging and all that comes with it. But today, as I peered deeply into that mirror, I think like myself, Grandma missed that little girl that used to look back at her. I miss her too, I still see a glimpse of her sometimes though. And it makes me smile. I see her when I look into my granddaughter’s eyes. That must be why Grandma wanted me to see the little girl in the mirror, so I would know how to find her when I thought she was gone.

So Grandma kept the old mirror behind the door, not because of vanity, and not because she didn’t want to be reminded that that little girl was no longer looking back at her. But she kept it behind the door to remind herself that when you look in the mirror and you see beauty fading and days have become years, don’t fret. The same beauty and love is passed down from generation to generation, and that little girl is always looking back at me.

Copyright ©2011 Mikki Jo Howard