Looking for a purse to temporarily use while mine is being repaired, I took an older one from Mother's closet that she had not used in quite some time. As I unzipped it, there, staring at me, lay four unwrapped sticks of Spearmint gum that had long ago fallen from its packet, two Kleenex tissues, a folded white handkerchief, a partially used emory board, three unopened packets of InstaClear eyeglass wipes, a comb, a ballpoint pen, an eyebrow liner, and an extra set of keys to her car, which was a garage-kept, mint condition 1988 Buick with only 42,000 miles that I sold in 2005.I stood there staring at her purse and its contents, tears uncontrollably raced down my cheeks. Through tears I touched each article, trying desperately to feel where she had touched as my fingerprints mixed with hers from the past. As my vision continued to blur from the tears, I zipped up Mother's purse and placed it back in her closet.
I know her spirit continues to be with me and watch over me, but, for today, for those few moments, in the midst of crying out, I held something tangible that she had held. And, after the tears stopped, I felt a fleeting comfort cross my soul.
3 comments:
It always amazes me how these little things can so touch our hearts and start the tears flowing. I am glad though that you got that comfort if only for a moment.
It's the little things that bring me to my knees.
This is a beautiful post, Joyce. Thank you for sharing.
just checking in Joyce to let you know I'm still reading.
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