More Than A

At first glance, the box may appear to be empty. It is small, the color is blue and it bears a logo. Both identify where the gift came from; a famed haven of beautiful items where once I dared not enter, but could only gaze into the beautiful windows.

However, it is not empty because dreams are transparent and have no color.

And you will learn, as life inevitably moves forward, all dreams take on an importance beyond description.

Thus, my beautiful Granddaughter, your graduation gift, the china box, is not empty, but rather it is quite full because I have packed it with all the hopes and aspirations I have for you and your future.

Of course, I realize most likely I will not be here when each and every one of those I included float out into your reality.

However, I felt it important to give them to you today as you graduate from college because now there are so many dreams that seemed impossible for me in my youth, but are so obtainable in today’s world for women.

Choices, that once seemed impossible to grasp have now become a reality, and it gives me great joy to pack those in this small box.

Even though the dimensions of your Graduation gift are minute, the dreams enclosed are elastic allowing growth and ability to accelerate as the magic of time passes quickly by.

Thus did the magic of time fly by since the April morning you and your beautiful sister entered our world within minutes of each other.

Much has changed since that wonderful day. Your beloved Grandfather left our world, and the house you visited so often now belongs to another family. The kitchen where we made orange cookies has faded into our memory.

Yet the dreams haven’t, and as you have grown in strength, wisdom and beauty, so has the rainbow of hope now tucked neatly into your box.

I hope each time you open it, another dream floats out, and you remember not only those that have come true but the Grandmother to whom you have given such incredible joy, beautiful Katherine.

In the words of Langston Hughes:

“Hold fast to dreams

For If dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly.”