It's a lovely start to the Memorial Day weekend. I'm in my new apartment, unpacking, and am enjoying a few of the things in life that bring me the most joy: the sound of birds chirping, the way the breeze is blowing through my windows and rustling the leaves of my plants ... its coolness on my skin, the way the sunlight is luminating my apartment.
Putting away the contents of the last of the boxes, I came across my travel accessories. Sleep masks, cosmetic bags, adapters, ... , and the bag I take on international trips. This bag previously served as a briefcase/purse so it was always with me. It's the perfect bag for long flights and all day excursions as it works well with any outfit and is designed in a way that works for just about anything. The last time I used this bag was 6 years ago. As I went through the contents, memories came flooding back and my mind began to wander...
... the travel size deodorant, toothbrush, and cleansing cloths took me back to a beautiful summer day on the Amalfi Coast. Driving the coast line. Lunching in Priano. Sunbathing in Amalfi. Driving up the hillside to Ravello ... stopping, of course, at the pottery shop to say 'hello' to its owner who assisted me two years before when I had an accident on my rented Vespa. Cleaning up and changing into a little travel dress which had been neatly rolled and tucked in my bag next to my beach towel. The lights of the entire town going out in the middle of dinner. Jazz concert in the villa's ruins under the stars.
... a 24" x 18" piece of paper which, when not folded, displays a letter from my stepdaughter, Meagan Vogele. Each sentence in a different crayon color. She sent this to me when I moved with P&G and she was worried that I would be lonely. That was 1997. I miss her.
... a burgundy velour pouch containing two 'stones.' One, clear glass with different colored strokes leading from the outer edge to the center. The other, with half white and half black strokes. A gift for my sabbatical from Laurent Horvath. He promised I would learn their meaning as I traveled my journey. And learn, I did.
... a letter from Raven, a little girl from the inner city whom I tutored in math in 2004. She describes her Christmas, and tells me how "People be messing with me at school." The only way I was able to help Raven remember the multiplication table was for us to put our arms around each other and step only on every other tile of the church atrium floor while reciting equations. "One times one is ...", "one times two is ...", "one times three is ..." I wonder where Raven is now.
... a lovely poem cut from a greeting card and given to me by ... whom? I can't remember. "When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught how to fly." by Barbara J. Winter
... I smile. Another poem. This one is an email dated October 7, 1997 at 10:24 am. My birthday. A friend who worked down the hall from me in the Food & Beverage division of Procter & Gamble wrote a poem for me reminding me of many wonderful moments we all shared there in the office. WC ~ he knows who he is.
... an invitation to a Flying Pig Marathon party at Brad Frank's apartment to watch him run past. Breakfast, Bloody Marys, pajamas and lawn chairs provided. May 9th of what year? Be Frank With Me.
... May 3, 1994. A heart-shaped note paper with a message written in purple. I don't even have to read it to know that it's from Jillian Chamberlain. Always a friend. Always a sister. Always there. The most pure-hearted woman I have ever met (aside from my mother). Her note encourages me through the difficult time of deciding to leave my marriage.
... 2001, a card from Lori talking about the wonders of good girlfriends. That was a very special time in my life. I was blessed with a very close circle of friends who will forever be at the core of my heart: Natalie, Nelson, Lori, Deborah.
... a card from my parents just before I left for my European sabbatical in 2001. So special to me that I prefer to hold the reasons so close to my heart that I cannot share.
... lastly, a card with a lovely photo of a lone house off in the distance in the French countryside, and a long road leading up to it. The words inside are sweet, and its signed 'Sancho.' I cannot, for the life of me, remember who 'Sancho' is. I turned the card over and noticed I had written a date. June 14, 2003. Ah. Now I remember. And I also remember the last trip I used this bag was in July 2003. What I remember about the card and the trip are not the words, the moments, nor even Sancho. I remember a moment just before the trip ... I was walking away from the Hyde Park Blast street party with a friend, Steve S., who said, "You're dating the wrong Steve." And even though it was fear that kept me from verbally agreeing with him, we both knew he was right.
These treasures are being placed in my current bag. I hesitate when placing Sancho's card with my treasures, but decide to as a reminder not to allow fear to guide my choices.
No comments:
Post a Comment