Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Art (01/18/07)
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TITLE: A Package from Daisy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Niki Tschirgi
01/25/07 -
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As I cut open the box a fondness graced my eyes as I thought about the sender. It was our dear Grandma Daisy. Though she is very poor monetarily she certainly was overflowing in her heart for “her boy”. She has eyes that shine like a sparkling lake on a sunny day when she speaks of her grandson and often words of thanks lilt off her tongue at the good life we have provided for him.
Ripping off the masking tape we all peek inside to see four neatly wrapped packages. I know she doesn’t have much and it cost her dearly to even pay for the postage, but here it was our Christmas package from Daisy. As the boys tear into their presents each one is delighted with “Lego’s” and “Lincoln Logs” and immediately start building their future forts and space stations. I carefully withdraw another package, slightly heavy with my name on it. As I open it up a thousand pieces of extremely tiny crystals sift onto my arm and hand. They smell delicious but I can see that through the mail they are no longer in their rightful package and are showering me with their scent. As I remove the remaining paper I see a lovely lacquered box with a small piece of artwork gracing the top. It is obviously home made. Opening it up I discover fifty mini colorful packets of scented bath crystals, all made by her. Inside the box is taped a message just for me. It says,
“We hope you enjoy these bath salts. They were made with love. Laura and I made these with love and enjoyed making them for you. Take some time off and pamper yourself.
Love, Daisy, Laura, Karen, and Robbie
I marvel at the time it must have taken to make and package each item. Although our relationship is four years young, it feels many years deep and wide. I remember the day we met in the little old room at the adoption agency under heartbreaking circumstances. We were looking to adopt and they were searching for a family. Her twelve year old daughter had given birth to a son and was not ready to be a mom. But I was. At first I was so afraid of an open adoption. What did it all mean? Would there be two moms? My fear quickly fled as I saw it was shared information not shared roles and that this precious little boy we had welcomed into our arms simply had more people to love him. As I looked over at the family in their tattered clothes and slightly unkempt hair I knew that they had seen a hard life. I knew I had the power to love them. I knew I had the ability to respect them. I knew I had the resources to help them. So that day as our eyes locked with sadness and joy, we became a family. My loss of pregnancy had left me aching for a child and their loss of innocence had simply left them aching. Two losses joined together to begin the healing process and that is what it was. A time of healing. As they saw their child grow, flourish, and thrive in our home they took great joy in knowing he was well cared for, loved, and allowed to be a part of their life. Sorrow turned to laughter and acquaintances became friendships which then gave way to family.
As I sat there fingering the soft soapy crystals that had fallen from my box, a warm sensation burned in my heart for this branch of family that had been grafted into my life. Just as the crystals cover my arm, so their presence covers my heart. Thank you Grandma Daisy. Thank you for the package.
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