Lost and Found
I have a little zippered purse I bring with me to Maui every year. It’s the perfect size for the room key, my phone, and I never worry that I have too many valuables sitting on the sand or by the pool.
So, as always, I brought it with me this year. When I went to put the new key inside, I noticed some old crinkled papers stuffed in the bottom of the purse. The first one I pulled out was an old receipt for charging things at the pool, dated May of 2007. That was the last trip Leroy and I took to this enchanted island together. I will always remember his doctor saying, “If you’re gonna go…go NOW.” The cancer was hiding, but would show itself again soon… so we made our plans. It was a bitter/sweet trip. We did the usual things…..went to our favorite restaurants, spent days on the ocean, sailing, and a lot of pool time reading books and listening to music. I remember catching a glimpse of Leroy sitting on the lanai, staring out to sea…I never asked him what was on his mind at that moment; but I knew…he knew too.
There was one more receipt in the purse. It was another charging slip, dated October 2008. My trip to Maui, alone, where I laid Leroy’s ashes to rest at sea. Where he is today, at peace, at the place where the Pacific wraps her arms around him in the spirit of Aloha.
Those two little papers are folded again and placed back inside the purse and zipped closed.
Some things aren’t meant to be discarded.
October 26, 2012 @ 1:46 pm
Two days before my husband died, he had all the children come in -one by one-and he gave each a special gift (class ring, paratrooper wings, pocket watch, etc). I photographed these incredibly private moments so each one will have extra rememberance as they get older and look back at the photos. For me, he made videos telling how much he loved me. I asked him to do this, because I anticipated there would be days when I just needed to hear his voice. I haven’t watched them yet, but I’m hoping, after some time passes, they will bring me comfort
October 26, 2012 @ 6:45 am
The night my husband died I had my children remove his undershirt. I placed it in a plastic bag. It has been over three years and every now and then I take it out and hold it to my face……….I can still smell him…………this brings me solace……….lifting
October 25, 2012 @ 7:32 pm
Two slips of paper that tell two different stories, each with one thing in common.
I’m so glad you have Maui to return to.
October 25, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
I still have Jim’s eyeglass prescription and a list he made to go to Lowe’s on my cork board in the kitchen..just can’t stand the thoughts of putting them anywhere. Hope you are having a peaceful week.