Jan 3, 2021
The Sparkling Present
Most of the presents had already been unwrapped. Our daughter ripped open one from her Mom and was delighted.
“I love this!”
She immediately extracted the sequined duster jacket from the package.
“With this pandemic, there has been nowhere to go and no reason to dress up. I’m putting this on right now.”
The magic in the glittering garment transformed University Professor Katherine back into little Katie. Tails of the jacket spreading wide, she gleefully spun amidst the discarded wrapping paper in front of the Christmas tree.
“Where’s my camera?” I thought, suddenly smiling. “I’ve got to get a picture of this to send to Nana and Grananne. They’ll love this.”
A split second later, the happy thought turned melancholy. My mother has been gone for almost 2 years. Her best friend, Grananne, not yet 2 weeks. They’d never see the photo.
After a sigh and a quick eye rub, I filed the thought for later. When Kate learned of my mistake, she gave an understanding hug.
While their absence stings, the certainty of the joy they would have felt eases the bitterness. And the sweetness of their souls seems a little closer.
