Generally, I do not save things. I have a one year rule . . . If I haven’t worn it, used it, or looked at it in a year’s time, I want someone else to enjoy it. So I give clothes to charity, furniture to friends, and leave neatly boxed odds and ends in my alley for the “alley people.”  These are the folks who drive through the ally looking for freebies and I am happy to oblige. My ally items are of the highest quality and always picked up quickly. It’s my presentation, clean,  organized, and all items visible without having to dig around, it is not trash. The goods usually disappear before the sun goes down. Wherever their ultimate destination,  it always warms my heart to know that my stuff gets a second chance to be loved by someone else.

The one year rule does not apply to my sentimental treasures, particularly correspondence, letters, cards, texts, voice messages and emails, some of them decades old.  I cherish them. I don’t read them often, but I do read them. I am usually looking for something else when I stumble across my keepsake boxes. I’ll open one, full of handwritten notes and cards from my children, my mom or dad, girlfriends, sibs, and former students, and before long, I am lost in the their writing and the memories. I love these boxes and the stories they keep, the feelings they convey . . . love, gratitude, sympathy, encouragement and inspiration.

My emails are kept in neatly organized files in cyber space, one for travel, another for my remodel, one for family and friends, and several more. I have one very special file simply labeled Mom. Here I saved an email journal I wrote over a 15 month period, updating family and friends, about my mom’s battle with cancer. I am not sure why I saved these, maybe because they tell her story of bravery.  Maybe, I thought one day they would bring me comfort. I have only opened them once since I wrote them nearly seven years ago. Reading just a few was so painful, I had to stop. I know one day I’ll have the courage to read them all. When the time comes, I imagine my mom’s spirit and wisdom within me, giving me strength as the reason for saving these messages is revealed. I feel sure they have a purpose in this life of mine.

I once saved a voicemail from my dad for nearly five years. After landing my first job as an elementary school principal, he left this message. . . .Christina . . . this is your dad. You’ve done well. I’m proud of you. If you get this message and it’s not too late, call me. Your mom and I would like to have dinner with you. Whenever, I retrieved my voice mails, I took the opportunity to listen to my dad’s message again and it always made me smile. After he died, I listened to it nearly everyday. It took on a different meaning . . . I missed him terribly and I wanted to hear the sound of his voice. . . . talking to me. A couple of years after he passed, I changed  my internet provider. I realized too late that the change caused my cherished voicemail to be lost,  deleted  forever. I considered making a desperate call to the carrier and begging them to find my message. I thought again, and  realized it was time to let it go. I can still hear my dad’s voice clearly in my head and feel his pride in my heart.

Text messages are no different. I have saved more than I can count for their sentimental value, as well as their ability to make me laugh. I read and reread hysterically auto-corrected texts.  Sometimes, my sister Mary and I will text each other hilarious little notes in the middle of the night, barely able to beat each other to the punch. While I am having a laughing fit alone in my bed another text comes through from my sister . . .  I am having silent laughter and I can’t get a hold of myself! This of course makes me laugh harder. And when I’m feeling low, getting the occasional I’m thinking of you or a simple xo can really lift my spirits. I never tire of hearing the familiar ping, and receiving the gifts that follow.

I learned that not everyone pours over their texts like a love sick teenager. A man I loved, once said to me, “I delete all my texts.” Pretending to hold his cell phone, he tapped his thumb in rapid succession indicating the deletion of a gazillion messages, and continued, “Oh yeah, it’s just too much stuff. Get rid of it.” And then he waved his hand dismissively in the air. In an instant, my heart sunk. How could he delete all of my heartfelt, carefully chosen words and  pictures? I felt my face flush and hoped he didn’t notice.

Texting was our main form of communication. He sent me many sweet messages, and I saved every single one. In the weeks between our visits, I missed him, and reading his texts was reassuring, he loved me. Often, he texted  pictures of what he treasured, his girls and his friends, or a milestone captured that he wanted to share with me. The pictures were particularly intimate . . . they spoke to me . . . you are important . . . I am thinking about you . . . . I wish you were here . . .  these are the people I love and you will love them too. I guess I got a little carried away.  The relationship ended sadly, and abruptly. I have not been able  to look at those messages, but I haven’t been able to delete them either. Perhaps there is a reason percolating for saving these messages as well . . .  we’ll see.

In the meantime, I still love and appreciate written and spoken words, and I am grateful for the people in my life who share them freely and honestly. I will continue to treasure them, save them, and savor them.

xo

ps . . . after writing this post I got the courage to look at my Mom file. I could only get through two emails and I chose this one to post . . .

February 11, 2008

Dear Friends,
Today my family met with my mom’s doctor. My mom and I participated via conference call. My mom told the doctor she no longer wanted chemo. Her doctor asked her if she wanted a hospice nurse/social worker to come to the house and explain how hospice works before
she made a decision.

She, Mary and my Dad met with the hospice nurse at 4:00, but not before my mom met with Father Christian and told him that she was ready to die. My mom agreed to hospice. I was at the house on and off today, but left before all of this happened. Although it was clear after this morning’s meeting that we were headed this  direction.

Tara stopped by to see her grandma right after the  hospice nurse left. She called to tell me that her grandma said she  was at peace and didn’t want anyone to worry about her. My mom
asked Mary to say the Rosary with her. She said she was exhausted by the day’s events and wanted to go to sleep.

It’s been a long, long day. I believe every prayer has been heard and my mom is doing what is best for her. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – her strength is my strength. She is truly amazing.

I can’t imagine there will be much to say in the coming days.  Mostly, we’ll just be together. My mom loves when we are all  together. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.
Throughout this whole ordeal they have given us all strength, hope and I know eventually peace.
l love you all.
xoc