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Flashback
I was wandering the streets of Rome trying to find a souvenir to take back for my daughter still living at home. I suddenly had a flashback to 1972 when I was not much younger than she is now. My parents had just returned from a business trip to Mexico.
They were so excited about the souvenir they had purchased for me. I anxiously watched as they carefully removed the newspaper wrapping from each delicate piece. First, the largest item, a circular unframed mirror. Then three clear s-shaped plastic clips which were fastened to the edge of the mirror and evenly spaced creating a raised platform.
As each piece appeared from the wrapping I could sense my parents’ anticipation and expectation that I was going to absolutely love this mysterious gift.
Next was a clear delicate glass swan with it’s neck straight up, mouth open. My dad placed it in the center of the glass. I was now getting the idea that this was a swan in the middle of a reflective pond. The final piece was multiple clear spaghetti like plastic strands attached at one end. That end was placed in the swan’s mouth and the loose ends spilled in every direction creating the appearance of a water fountain spraying from a glass swan.
I thought it was absolutely the ugliest thing I had ever seen. I wanted to bust out laughing it was so hideous. But I put on my best smile and exclaimed, “It’s so beautiful, thank you!”
Sometime later my nieces came for a visit and enjoyed unsupervised play throughout the house. I can’t say I was sorry when one pulled herself up on the dresser and broke my swan.
I chuckled to myself recalling this incident of nearly forty years ago. That I would think of it now when in the position of finding my own daughter a remarkable souvenir.
My daughter is artsy and likes unique things. I bought her a Murano glass pencil and eraser. The pencil looks like it is shortened from use, each end sharpened, one red and one blue. The eraser is duo-colored just like the real ones. I imagine it displayed on her bookshelf. I wonder what she will really think when she opens it.
A Dear John Letter
Dear John, It was the sixth grade when we decided to go steady. Steady as two eleven year-old kids can go while attending different elementary schools and seeing each other what seemed an eternity’s wait – once a week at church. The relationship just didn’t work out and I never faulted you for that. I’m [...]
Up in Smoke: What’s Your Exit Plan?
For a week now wildfires are raging all around where I live and many parts of Texas due to one of the worst droughts in Texas history. Many homeowners were ordered to evacuate and later allowed to return, some to find a home unscathed while others lose everything. The question is what would you or [...]
Anonymous Note “To Resident”
The sofa was in good condition and I wanted to give away. I could have sold it, but a new school year is beginning and I envisioned a college student needing it for a first apartment. My goal was to get it from our second-story and out of the house without petitioning my busy husband. [...]
