A Truthful

Mom always warned about self praise. And she had a pithy quote from her own highly articulate Mother to substantiate her edict.

I haven’t forgotten her warning or the harsh words quoted from my Irish grandmother, but now I will ignore them.

I have to say in all honesty, I take very good care of things, all inanimate objects.

Today I meticulously wrapped up slivers of plaid ribbon salvaged from Christmas gifts and stored them away into a precisely labeled box. (Just in case I am around for another Yuletide.)

While I suddenly remembered Mom’s caution, I thought about how invariably I refuse to relinquish treasured messages of love from those in my world. Their notes and cards are all carefully bound with silken cords of ribbon and carried to slumber in an overloaded desk drawer

Tiny food delicacies are tidily wrapped in glistening aluminum paper and refrigerated for another night’s pleasure. Although sometimes they await too long to be rediscovered and must be discarded. However, that occurs only on very rare occasions.

And I admit I seldom allow favorite garments to visit the interior of a washing machine or dryer. No, no, they are laundered by hand, and dried only by the soft breath of air.

Ah, yes, I have many idiosyncrasies. They are as much a part of my life as my name, and I know not why.

Is it a path of penance I was taught early in life and perhaps misinterpreted?

Or perhaps a method of keeping happy yesterdays alive as my life cycle slows to a crawl?

I recall a few occasions when I have attempted to share a particularly important treasure with another. Life then provided lessons that I chose not to learn.

Once I treasured a red lace evening gown worn on the most important night of my life. The garment was carried from state to state as life moved on, and was always embraced in dark tissue paper. For decades it was continually scented with fresh lavender.

On the few occasions it was allowed to emerge and be viewed, vibrant memories of a night of young love and commitment resurrected.

When the moment came to finally share it, I was blissfully unaware it could have absolutely no value to another. Of course, that was also a time when I should have wondered about the need to salvage other things.

Now I. dare to wonder. Have I been as scrupulous in caring for viable relationships as I have with possessions?

Of course that is a question only I can answer with honesty, and I will try, but only after I finish packing the ribbon.