The Birth Day Letter

JUNE 9

Dear CC,

Okay, so I’m not going to stop writing my journal. I need it now more than ever. Ms. Lily was right. Once I started writing in a journal it became part of me. I never thought that I would still be doing something that I started in 5^th grade. This is the ultimate homework assignment. Getting my laptop in my 6^th grade year was the best thing ever. I can’t imagine handwriting this now, especially after last night. I always seem to have so much to say. I wonder if there has ever been research about the fact that people think and write more since computers have become a fact of life. I keep meaning to go back and type in all my 5^th grade journal writings that are still in a spiral notebook. I’ll have to find it first.

Yesterday was a very emotional day for me. Happy, fun and sad all at the same time. Is it possible to have all those feelings in one day?

Today I asked Mother about Grandmother Liz’ letter. She said she found it in Grandmother’s things when they moved her out of the retirement home and into the nursing home.

After I read the letter yesterday I just sat very quietly and tears began to roll down my cheeks. Mom took my hand and her eyes told me how much she loved me. We didn’t say anything for a long time. Then I asked her if she had read the letter and she said no. She said she didn’t know what it said but did know that since it was written 13 years ago that whatever it said would be painful to read today. Mother also told me the birthstone ring they gave me belonged to Grandmother Liz.

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APRIL 30

Dear CC,

After school today I opened the box and it smelled like the attic. What I found was Grandmother’s life before her illness. It was so strange. Things she talked about in her letter, things Mother has told me about and mementoes that had Grandmother Liz written all over them. I got tears in my eyes because I knew that they had no meaning to my Grandmother now but at one time they were very important to her—they were her life. The life she can’t remember. I started taking the things out carefully like they were worth millions. After all I was holding her life treasures.

On top was a small hat with a veil. A piece of paper pinned to the inside said, “Worn on my wedding day”. Oh my gosh! There were embroidered dishtowels and pillowcases. A small book titled “Afternoon Tea for Discerning Ladies”. Whatever that means! I opened it and Molly had written, “To my best friend for all our past and future teas. Love, Molly.”

What was missing in this box is what Grandmother could tell me about each item. The stories would be priceless. I thought, “I can’t get discouraged. I have to settle for what I have found.” Then I saw the first item for my plan. Two aprons. One said, “Grandmother,” the other, “Grandmother’s Little Helper”. These were the ones in the picture in my album. Hers was clean. Mine had all the stains of everything I ever helped her make. I found more pictures to add to the album Mother made for me. I found a book with a satin cover that said “Our Wedding”.