Memories

(The Twelve Ways of Christmas, Part 6:  The Way of Reflection)

“Livie, why did you teach Lit?” Katie asked her grandmother, eyes rolling with attitude.

“Because I wanted to teach high school kids, and they made me pick a subject,” the bright-eyed woman said with confidence.  “Anyway, they already had a football coach.”

Olivia Driver opened the door to her guest room, parted the curtains, and opened the blinds to let the morning sunlight in.  Though it was early, her straight, silver hair looked beautifully radiant, as always.  Her trim frame and purposeful pace revealed an energy that defied her 78 years.  Olivia was on a mission.  Today she had planned (she always had a plan) to get the boxes and paper from the closet and start wrapping gifts.  This would be a Christmas to remember.  All her children and grandchildren would be there, along with those three adorable great-grands.

And this would be Olivia Driver’s last Christmas at her home of 34 years.

January would bring changes, and it was all Olivia’s doing.  Four years after her husband’s death, she had decided to sell the house and move to a nearby retirement/assisted care community.  She had already completed a thorough inventory, planned an estate sale, tagged the furniture and other items she would move with her, and scheduled the move-in.  Only one keep-or-toss decision remained for this retired Literature teacher.  And in the streaming sunlight, it caught her eye.

There at the foot of the bed was a large cedar chest, covered by a beautifully-crocheted afghan.  Throughout her grandchildren’s younger years, Livie (that’s what they called her) had invited them to explore the Chest of Wonder.  [click to continue…]

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