Traces of Beauty by Monica Gelinas

A smile given. A smile received. Both from one stranger to another. 

A gift that matches my heart’s desire, an unspoken desire. 

A delicious meal surrounded by majestic mountains.

A look of love from across the room. 

A dance with my son. 

All are traces of beauty given and received in the journey of life. 

My mom was a source of beauty for me.  I am so grateful for the many moments I shared with her. 

During one of my visits before she passed,  we were sitting, reading and relaxing, and she said to me:

“You leave beauty everywhere you go.”

Her words touched my heart and as the tears welled in my eyes, I could only respond with a “thank you.”

I have never seen that in myself and as she talked to me about it, I began to see how God has given me opportunities to touch others with His love, His care and His nurture. 

Sometimes, because they may be able to receive from a human easier than God. 

Over the years, my mom helped me to see myself more clearly. She has mentored me my whole life with lessons of truth, healing, faith and legacy. I trusted her completely, so I was able to receive her trace of beauty for me in that moment, a gift to my heart, mind and soul.

This gift, a “lens” of life, to intentionally leave traces of beauty all around is part of my vision for my personal life, but also for my role as a leader for children and families that have rare or undiagnosed conditions. Every one, any age, needs traces of beauty. 

I can be thankful for help given to me to embrace my identity and wholeness. I can be grateful for the opportunity to work with creativity to help others and I can look for ways to spread generosity and love. Daily. 

The traces are all around us.

They may be simple.

They may be sacrificial.

They may be time consuming.

They may be surprising. 

They may be scrumptious! 

But, they will always be BEAUTIFUL. 

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Embrace Your Beautiful Impact

What "traces of beauty" have you left or received today? Share your stories in the comments below and inspire others to see and spread beauty in their own lives.