I remember the box. I'd put it there a long time ago. Always thinking I would go through it later. Well, it had certainly been that. I was no longer that girl. Who am I kidding ? I'm an old lady now. I don't even remember why I put this box up here. I do remember how hot it was when I went up those stairs to the attic. I wish my Dad had put that light back in. Dark and dusty and smelling of old ... you know how it smells in attics. Past the spider webs. Yes, got one directly in my face. Hands moving it away. I think I got it in my ear. Sitting on that old chair. Sounds like I'm going to land on the floor any minute. Ok, opening the box. I put too much tape. Looking around. I remember now. Oh, that's right. I was young once. Why did I come up to look through this box ? And, there it was. The reason I'd put the box up here in the first place. That odd wooden elephant looking thing. He'd given it to me when he came back from his trip. He said he saw it at this shop. Thought of me and how we'd had so much fun looking at the elephants when we went to the zoo. He'd been so nice. So sweet. I loved him then. Only that lasted til March and I'd packed everything up and put the box away. Now looking at that silly thing, all those memories came back like a wave splashing into shore. As my daughter called up to me, "Did you find that box?" and I yelled back, "Yes, I got it", I wondered why hadn't I thown all these things away. Later, while I showed her the box and the elephant looking thing, she told me, "It'll work" and I told her "Great, cause it didn't for me". As she sort of skipped out of my room, I thought, at least someone still likes wooden elephants. It just isn't me.
~ JC ~
(I wasn't going to write this week but at the last moment I decided to throw something together)
~ JC ~
(I wasn't going to write this week but at the last moment I decided to throw something together)
1) Sign up in the Mr. Linky list.
2) Write a short vignette or poem using the picture featured in this post as your inspiration. Feel free to take the photo to use for your post.
3) Link back to Magpie Tales from your post.
4) Post your piece on your blog no later than 8:00 a.m. EST Tuesday.
9 comments:
I always enjoy your writing. Makes me want to know more.
I was looking at your sidebar and saw that the boys got adopted. I'm so glad to hear that. I realize that could've been some time ago, but I'm glad nevertheless.
I was thrilled that they did and I will keep them on my sidebar for a while. Now, with the girls, I will add them to the list too.
Funny how sights/smells remind us of the past and bring back things forgotten...or lost.
wonderful little tale...i hope it does better by the daughter...smiles.
It's funny when you find things from the past that were SO important at the time, but now leave you wondering what the big deal was.
And what is it with spiderwebs and thier ability to always get you in the face?!
Poignant piece. Memories do splash over us like waves, don't they? Well done.
Memories can be two-edged sometimes. Why do we save things that we know will hurt?
Couldn't bear to face the finality of throwing it out? Somewhere deep down a hoped-for reconciliation?
Dialogue and traditions started and passed along.
You do both well.
rel
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