Thursday, August 27, 2009

Hidden memories

High up on a shelf

amongst the ordinary
high heels, sandals, winter boots
wool, silk, soft denim

are bits of life

soft green blanket, a ghost of its former self
worn thin by sweet baby hands grasping, holding, loving

Purple Barney,who brought unbridled joy one Christmas morning
never to be equalled in years to come

Kindergarden book bags ... one for each child
filled with mementos of school days gone by ....
construction paper creations, report cards, glowing notes from favored teachers

These bits of life

Keepsakes that at one time held places of prominence in our home, a bed, a shelf, the refrigerator door

now reside high up on a closet shelf, tucked away

but not forgotten

melancholy days come to call .....

I pull out the step ladder and one by one

I sift through these bits of life

reminiscing of days long past

afternoons tucking a soft green blanket around a sleeping beauty
whisking barney away for a quick cleaning while a little boy sleeps unaware
checking book bags for forgotten permission slips and teacher notes

Sometimes these tokens bring tears, a longing to return to simpler days

But mostly they bring warmth and a smile

a smile at a life lived full

6 comments:

Laura said...

I like your closet, Tina! Isn't it amazing what we tuck away? These are little bits of love. :)

We used to have a barney just like that!

~*Michelle*~ said...

Oh this made smile (through a few sniffles)

My two oldest are off to high school this week...when did I become old enough to have a 16 and an 18 year old??? LOL I remember their kindergarten days like it was yesterday...

I love that you have a special place for those keepsakes.

Tina said...

Michelle,
I know right ... my youngest two are a senior and sophomore ( Barney's former owner is the senior) where does the time go??

L.L. Barkat said...

I liked this...

"tucking a soft green blanket around a sleeping beauty"

and the mood of the whole poem, as you sifted, remembered.

The Dementia Nurse said...

This is so lovely, Tina! What would life have been with Barneys, Disney princesses and VHS? It was great to hear from you this week!!! How's your precious Brett? I've thought of you both while I was away. Love you!

Tina said...

Gail, My precious Brett is very well thanks, he is still in jail but I think it is all in God's timing. There is much to be thankful for. I am so glad you are back. God is good all the time!

Love you too,
In His precious name,
TIna