Waves of Nostalgia

This week a package arrived in the mail

from Homer, Alaska,

from my Aunt Janet.

Aren't packages and handwritten

notes that come in the mail

still such a thrill?

I'd much rather have a package or letter

that is handwritten

than any e-correspondence.

I knew this would be special.

Things that come from Aunt Janet

are especially meaningful

because they usually belonged to my Grandma Marj.

This week was no exception.

Three precious little collections were wrapped at the top:

cake/jello molds that I remember sweet treats,

bird figurines that remind me of our connection through birdwatching,

Christmas cookie cutters I remember playing with,

tracing on paper and decorating with crayons,

and then in the bottom of the box . . .

My Grandma's sketches and watercolors

dated 1938,

from her Applied Art class.

Just last week,

some of her drawings had come to mind

and I wondered where they ended up.

This is so meaningful to me

at this time in my life...

the month of my one year anniversary

of being in business as an artist.

Perhaps more meaningful

than it would have been any other time.

I will be looking for the perfect frames

for my future studio/study/office

and maybe

my kitchen too.

There is something sacred

about things created by the

hands of a loved one.

Especially after they are gone.

Sacred

because of the

hands,

the love,

the life,

that was here,

that was shared.

I held her hand,

that sketched and painted, 

when she slipped away from my life.

But sweet memories will always be with me.