Memories Held In A Drawer | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Memories Held In A Drawer | Previous Challenge Entry
By sue moreland
08/02/07
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I was cleaning out a drawer a few days ago when I found and old Christmas card from my sister, Marsha. I seldom save Christmas cards and this card was nothing out of the ordinary as cards go. So I was amazed that I still had it. But there it was with her familiar handwriting.

Inside my sister had written a simple little note. “ It was wonderful seeing you for Thanksgiving and having the family all together. And so much fun sharing craft making as a family. I know I will treasure our time together and so will our grandchildren.”

My mind went back to that Thanksgiving. Marsha traveled 350 miles with her husband and her grandson. My parents and my other sisters were there, also, along with all their children and my children and grandchildren.

We had the usual Thanksgiving dinner and after dinner was over we cleared the dining room table and did scrap booking. But the real hit was the tie dying party in the basement. Anyone who wanted to could tie dye their own garment. The kids all had their own ideas for design and could not wait to see how it would come out in the end. It was a noisy happy time. And a good memory of a family gathered together.

That Christmas card was seven years old. It should have been tossed out long ago. And now seeing my sister's hand writing and reading the words she penned it never will be tossed. My sister, Marsha died of Cancer three years ago. I spent lots of time with Marsha when she was ill. And I am thankful for those percious days. But that long ago Thanksgiving was the last time we spent together as a whole family with aunts, uncles,cousins and all.

Because of the distance and the busy-ness of life I did not see my sister as often I as wanted to, but I always thought there would be plenty of time for that in the future. I thought when we both retired we'd have more time.But she never reached retirement age. Now finding this card, remembering her laugh and how she tilted her head a certain way when she smiled, I miss her all over again.

I know that when I see her again it will seem as if only a few moments have passed since we were last together, but for today I am filled with sadness for not finding the time to see her more often in this life.We had so much more we could have shared.

But even in the sadness of finding that old forgotten Christmas card in a drawer I joyously realize it was a special serendipity. It was almost like a visit from my sister.

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