This month in honor of Women’s History Month and Bold Women’s Day, that fell on the first Sunday of March, we celebrate the bold women in our lives who shaped our faith and changed our lives.
by Elizabeth McBride
My grandmother Margaret gave me her two vintage Hermes scarves before she passed. She owned many lovely things that she worked hard for, but her scarves were one of the few things that she wore regularly toward the end of her life.
When she gave them to me, I really didn’t know what I would do with them. They were beautiful, but I felt they were a bit mature for my “look” which consisted of knit long sleeve tees and jeans. Now, after almost a decade of admiring their orange boxes stacked neatly in my closet, I’ve decided it was time to add them to my wardrobe. There is something amazing about these silk scarves. They go with everything. I dress them down for brunch tied as an infinity scarf with jeans. I create a silk halter top (with a camisole underneath—I’m not that daring) that I wear with a cardigan to work. It feels like me, not like I’m wearing my grandmother’s scarf. However, when I wear them, I am also reminded of her.
What does this gift of fashion have to do with faith? Often someone older shares the gift of faith with someone younger. And for a time, it may not fit. But when we are ready—it can become part of our wardrobe and our life.
We can’t control when our granddaughters, sisters or friends will receive our gifts of faith (or fashion), and its really not up to us. It’s up to God. And God’s timing. So, keep sharing the gift of faith, because you don’t know when it might fit.
Have you shared the gift of faith with someone younger than you? Who shared the gift of faith with you?
Closing prayer:
Good and gracious God, thank you for my grandmother Margaret and all of our foremothers of faith who taught us through their words and actions what it means to be a follower of Christ. Amen.
Elizabeth McBride is the director for intergenerational programs and editor of Café. She is also elated, thanks to youtube.com, to learn a multitude of ways to extend her wardrobe with Hermes scarves.
A version of this post first appeared in March 2015.