The Letter

** This short story is based on my true experience last December.  It was an unexpected gift from God and I just knew I had to share it in written form...so here it is.  :o)

 The Letter

Two days before Christmas.

Slowly she opened her eyes and wondered why she could hear so many voices down the hall.  When she had gone to lay down for a nap she had been the only one home. Yawning widely she looked at the clock and realized she had been asleep for 45 minutes.

Closing her eyes and snuggling into her comforter she tried to fall back asleep.

The voices continued...laughter and good natured loud exclamations could be heard even under the covers.

Sighing she moved her cat over and threw back the covers. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed she stretched.  Her feet touched the cold floor and she quickly looked for her slippers. 

Standing up with a slight grown she scratched Bella’s ears and opens the door.

She walked down the hallway and sees several people in the dining room.  Cousins and her Mum.  They are talking about a large box filled with things.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“It’s a box of things from your Memaw’s house,” Mum answered.  “It has some things that belong to you.”

 

Curious she goes to the box and looks in.

As she moved things around she finds a stuffed bear named Buzz she received for Christmas as a pre-teen girl.  Other stuffed bears lay in the box too.  Moving things around she sees several porcelain dolls and remembers a time when those were her favorite Christmas gift.

Everyone laughed as they continued to explore the box of random items.

As she explored the box further she reaches the bottom and sees a smaller box.  Bending down she opens the box and there sitting at the top is a plastic baggie with a letter inside.  The name on the outside of the letter?  Hers.

She reaches in and picks up the baggie with the letter.

Opening it she sees that the letter is aged and she recognizes the handwriting.  It was written by her Memaw.

As she opens the letter she smiled at the sight of her Memaw’s familiar scrawl.

At the top of the page the date is written, 1986.

23 years.

This letter had been left in this box just for her....23 years ago.

She would have been 7 years old.  

Running her finger across the letter feeling the letters and the paper, crinkly with age she feels the sting of tears she knows will come.

And she reads.

Christy,

These glasses Papa got with gas buying. One at a time.  So I saved them for your hope chest so you can have them when you get old enough to take care of them. The glasses rep. Lady Liberty they restored her in 1986 and revealed her July 4th 1986.  Your Mother and Daddy had went to New Hampshire that week and you and Michael spent that week with me and Papa this week.

Your Daddy was driving a big truck hauling cars from place to place.

We love you and Michael so much.

You, Michael, Mother, and Daddy live in Valdosta GA and me and your Papa miss all of you so much.

Be a sweet and good girl and always go to church.

We love all of you.

Love,

Memaw and Papa.

 Tears stream down her face as she reaches down into the box to pull one of the glasses out.  They are patriotic in their red, white, and blue stripes and stars. They are ordinary.  In her heart they are extraordinary.  

The letter.  

Written before a big move from one part of the state to another.  Before cancer.  Before death.  Before dementia.  Before her beloved Memaw could not remember her any longer.

And she knows one day they will have a place in her own home in the cabinet with other glasses.  And each time she uses them she will smile and remember two of the dearest and most beloved people in her life.  Her Memaw.  Her Papa.

Her past mixed with her present.  Just as it should be.

Comments

[amy @ filled with praise]

Oh that is the most precious gift ever. What a beloved blessing.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Blessings,
Amy

[Laurie]

Awww...Very touching. :) I received my grandmother's baby doll when she was little. The doll stayed in the ceader chest for over 60 years and no one could get it out. I also have a picture of her when she had the doll. I named her Annie Laura after my Mama. Such sweet memories.

[Alisa Hope Wagner]

What a beautiful and God arranged story!!! I am teary-eyed just reading it!!!

BTW, congratulations for winning the "Beautiful Cup Blog" over at Internet Cafe Devotions!!!

[Victoria]

This is a beautiful treasure I'm so glad you shared! I'm so happy that you made the top 100, you're beautiful!

[3rdofDecember]

I actually read this 5 times before I felt like I had the words to comment. Still don't feel like I do.

This is such a beautiful telling...and tribute to your Memaw.

I really think you need to think about writing a book of short reflections in this style.

[Ginger]

Christy,
Every time I read your blog, I am even more blessed than the first. This story reflects wonderful memories and truly shows your heart for family. I know you will cherish those glasses and the note through the years. You are keeping those memories alive through your faithful walk.
Thanks for sharing these stories with us.
Ginger