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Reminders

Written reminders are the blessing in life, especially when they are from the ones who are no longer with us. That is why I enjoy reading through my Daddio's books, and coming across the notes he had written in the margins, the phrases that he'd underline, or his red inked diagrams that he had sketched. Somehow, I feel that I am reading along with him. . .

I especially enjoy those reminders that catch me off guard. Just like yesterday, when all I was doing was dusting the furniture in our bedroom and found again the little notebook scrap that was down inside a vase. "You're the best mom in the universe, I (heart shape) you," was all it said. It brought back instant memories of when my son brought me that special vase. He had proudly purchased it for me from a neighbor's garage sale. It brought me joy back then, but more so now. . .

So there I was trying to straighten up our attic, going through some boxes, when I decided to finally look through one that had been shoved up there and mostly forgotten. It held the thoughtful plans and wishes of my dear mother-in-law to ease the pain of her passing for her family. She had thought of everything, she had clipped out news articles, and wrote specific comments for each of her children. Even then, I remembered her great humor and wonderful smile, she always had a twinkle in her eye! But I was quite surprised to find that white envelope sealed, with her blue inked script instructions for her family that stated "read upon my entering hospice or immediately upon my death." I brought it to my husband who had been unaware of it, and after checking with his brother, he opened it to find a beautiful letter from his Mom. She had lovingly spelled out her final wishes and ended it with a reminder of the joy she had with them and all her grandchildren, and that she had loved them so . . .

Written reminders are the blessing in this life, especially for those of us who are left behind.

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