Monday, March 8, 2010

It Just Isn't Me ...


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)


 
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.
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9 comments:

Annie Bear said...

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.

JC said...

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.

Jacqueline said...

Funny how sights/smells remind us of the past and bring back things forgotten...or lost.

Brian Miller said...

wonderful little tale...i hope it does better by the daughter...smiles.

Forever Foster said...

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?!

Tess Kincaid said...

Poignant piece. Memories do splash over us like waves, don't they? Well done.

Vicki Lane said...

Memories can be two-edged sometimes. Why do we save things that we know will hurt?

Peter Goulding said...

Couldn't bear to face the finality of throwing it out? Somewhere deep down a hoped-for reconciliation?

rel said...

Dialogue and traditions started and passed along.
You do both well.
rel

There comes a time in your life when you walk away from all of the drama and the people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right and pray for those who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of life, getting back up is living.

~ Jose N. Harris

Characters In My Garden

Purr Gang ~ My five cats

Cats ~ Al, Ashton Rosevelt, Jasmine Marie, Riley Andrew & Meredith Ann

Fur Gang ~ Jodie Isabella and Sally Jean
(The Original member, Sweet Bella is in memory only now. Maddy Jean, another original member, past away in August of 2014)

Mr. Boatman ~ my husband who likes boats

DD ~ my daughter who graduated and is now out living in the real world

DS or Dson ~ my son is studying computer science and math



Maddy Jean & Bella

Maddy Jean & Bella
Both gone but never forgotten

Jodie Isabella

Jodie Isabella

Al

Al
I adopted him from our local Humane Society

Ashton

Ashton
Adopted from my local horse supply store

Jasmine

Jasmine
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals

Riley

Riley
I adopted him from the local Humane Society

Meredith Ann

Meredith Ann
I adopted her from Purrfect Pals