…as I go through your keepsakes. Saving every card you were ever given…even the little cards that come with a bouquet of flowers. The Get Well cards from all of your surgeries. The home-made cards from all of us kids. Little letters written to you or dad from the grand-kids. So many papers labeled “IMPORTANT – KEEP!!!”. Like a little trail of breadcrumbs trailing back through your life. While each message in the cards are words of love based upon the holiday, your only words are: This means something to me, it is special to ME…the words are silent and only your heart can hear them.

Inter-mixed with these happy cards are the condolence cards…the obituary clippings of all the people who were your friends and family. Pressed flowers. Laminated book marks with the Lord’s Prayer on them. Little slips of memories from moments that have passed by.

It pains me to have to get rid of all these things that meant something to you. A lot of the senders I do not know. Possibly I knew them when I was younger but not now. Many of the senders have passed on to the other side of the veil. Possibly you have met up with them again. But…what am I to do with all these memories that were important to you? I have read a lot of them. I have taken note of how cards changed over the years…what was in style at the time, which is pretty cool to see. But again, it pains me to get rid of all these things of yours. If I do not do it now, someone else will have to do it when I have passed through the veil. I suspect someone will have to do the same with all of my things that I keep. Things that meant something to me. And that is okay. I often look around me and want to get rid of stuff, not because it means nothing to me but because I do not want my things to be a burden to someone after I die. Upon viewing all the things that meant something to you, it tells me a story about you and your life. All the photos that I have come across, when you and dad were younger…some are smiling pics…some are not…worry captured on your face or possibly…”I shouldn’t have drank that much” caught by the camera. So…I will keep some of your things, things that mean something to me too. And I will keep my things…the things that mean something to me. And the person who complains about having to deal with it all after I am gone…well, they can just kiss both of our asses…when they get to the other side. Love you much, Mom and Dad.

Peace out homies….