By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Have you ever searched through old family memorabilia and found a spark of excitement? While looking 
through old photographs and yellowed letters, I discovered how my husband’s deceased aunt made her lifelong dream come true.
Aunt Marj’s goal was to have a consignment shop of unique handmade gift items. She never stopped thinking about it, and she never stopped planning it. After retiring from teaching school, she established The Windmill Country Store on Wetmore Road from an old country store and gas station originally built in 1928 and closed in 1942 due to World War II. Her business operated in San Antonio, Texas for fifteen years and expanded to over 300 consigners from thirteen states.
Aunt Marg in Colonial Dress at old Singer sewing machine
Aunt Marj loved the Christmas season. She’d welcome visitors in a long Colonial dress and give them the history and tour of the store. She’d tell how scales and canned goods were still on the shelves, and auto parts were still in the back. A snake even kept her company while she prepared the building for business. The gas tanks added charm, and she kept them.
Her store was featured in KPRC’s Eyes of Texas program on April 14, 1982. Impressive.
The Windmill Country Store
Why my enthusiasm over a woman I’d never met?
She left a legacy of encouragement to every life she touched. Within the page of a single letter, she taught me to hold fast to the things that give me purpose and meaning. She wrote to her sister, “I am getting so excited about the prospects of my store I can hardly contain myself.”
I wish I’d known Aunt Marj. I’d have helped her clean shelves and sort items for her shop; praised those who delivered their handiwork; giggled at the idea of waiting on customers. And simply listened to her speak joy into the lives of others.
I hope one day when I’m gone, someone looks at my life and is inspired to move forward with impossible plans.
What about you? What kind of legacy do you want to leave for others to enjoy?
DiAnn’s Library Corner
DiAnn’s Library Corner
I know you love books and the creative people who write them. Share your love of authors and recommend their books to readers.
Comments 22
What a lovely story! One of the reasons that I write is that I have heard so many stories growing up of funny. Inspiring, or heart-wrenching real things that happened to real people & how they coped (or didn’t!) with them & I think these things should be passed along in some manner & not forgotten. We all have unlimited sources of material that is just crying out to be told. Don’t you agree?
Hi Sharon, those stories we hear are legacies and we do need to write them down. Thanks so much.
I want to be remembered for making people smile and/or laugh.
Hi Janetta, You do make people smile and laught – a rare trait, my friend.
You already encourage me through your life. Mission Accomplished 😀
Thank you!
I’d like for my children and my grandchildren to remember that first and foremost, I am a Christian. I want the to say that I loved each and everyone of them unconditionally.
I am leaving Bible’s for all of my children with verses underlined and prayers that I have prayed for them, written in the margins.
Your aunt sounds like a lovely lady. I agree, her story begs to be told.
Hi Debbie, I love what you’re doing for your children!
How fascinating! A wonderful example of pursuing your dreams.
My legacy would be to enjoy all the small moments in your life, the unexpected flower, the beautiful song, the surprise bird etc.
Hi Kathleen, I agree with you. Too often we’re in such a hurry that we miss the beautiful details.
Thanks for posting about Aunt Marj. She was beyond any doubt, a magnificent person.
I can tell she was an inspiration to all of us.
What I great story! I would love to leave the legacy of encouraging and inspiring others, especially children, to read and memorize the Word of God.
I think the best way to begin instilling God into our children is to begin now. 🙂
I’d like to leave the legacy that regardless the joys or sorrows, the successes or the failures, God was always my lifeline, my provider, my strength, and my hope. I’d like them to be able to say, “She loved Christ with her whole heart and loved others unconditionally.” Note: I plan to leave my children and grandchildren a scrapbook of my writing journey.
Loretta, that’s beautiful. A few years ago, I purchased three journal Bibles with my grandchildren in mind. For one year I made notes etc for a particular child. The three Bibles are ready for delivery!
I think it would make a fabulous setting for a book. Or a series.
I’m thinking about that!
The legacy I’d like to leave is this–
To love well.
And you do …
my legacy I hope is I was a kind and loving christian who loved to bake.
I think that would be a fabulous legacy!