There are several gifts that I clearly remember receiving from my Grandma Rush (Sister Juanita). That’s pretty good after 25 or 30 years and lots of getting and giving.

One was my very first grown up hat. It is (I still have it) a burgundy felt hat with a wide brim and it was part of my 13th (I think) birthday present along with a pair of black slacks and an ivory Gunne Sax blouse with lots of pearl buttons down the front. I’d have the blouse too because it was a classic but that was 50 pounds ago. I still remember how very grown-up and classy I felt in that outfit. The items were purchased on a shopping trip to the now-defunct, but then top-of-the-line, Boston Store.

While I don’t always agree with her particular line of thought on Christianity, another gift that she gave me (and still does) was to be a strong example of faith. I no longer have the book (I wish I did) that was full of one page stories for children to help them do daily readings long before Chicken Soup for the Soul came along. I do have a little box of Bible verses that she gave me. About the size of an index card, the box contains small cards that have Bible verses on one side and something to promote thought on the other. When I was growing up we periodically used it at dinner time. Now it sits in my bathroom where I will hopefully notice it every day and take a moment to explore some of the wisdom within.

As I was wondering this morning about ways to engage my 13 year-old daughter Bryanna in expanding her thinking, that box came to mind.

Keely West

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