Box Full of Love and Adventure

It’s crazy how you could wake up one day and your whole world could change. How a couple of years of your life could erase, and blur out any memories you’ve ever had. How the people closest to your heart could just disappear in a blink of an eye.

It’s also crazy how a single wrapped box can cause immense amounts of anxiety. I’ve been staring at that box for 2 hours now. A small box wrapped in brown paper. With my name in cursive. Tied with a pretty golden ribbon. I knew it was from my mom and not only because Mrs. Julie told me so. But because the way she wrapped the box screams my mom.

She was big on recycling things. She always had a lot of brown paper that came in her packages that were sent to the hospital. And the wrapping style. There was a very distinctive way my mom wrapped gifts. It’s kind of hard to explain. Lets not forget her handwriting. That was also very distinctive. It was just as beautiful as her. But the most obvious thing of all was the golden ribbon. Because my mother and I have hair as golden as the sun, a sight so rare, it's always been our color. Our signature color.

“Lily, would you stop staring at that damn box and open it please! You’re driving me mad, woman!”

I think it’s fair to say that Bria wanted to know what was inside just as much as I did. But I just couldn’t bring myself to open it.

“Hey, I don’t mean to seem pushy,” Bria started, “But it’s been 4 hours since you got the package. And you spent 2 of them just staring at it. Aren’t you curious about what your mom could’ve possibly left you?”

I was. Of course I was. There’s nothing more in the world that I want than to know what my mom would have packed up for me as a kid. She was always thinking ahead. No doubt about it. And she always had a knack for predicting the future. I mean that woman could see anything coming before you could. Before it even happens.

“Okay, I guess my curiosity is getting the best of me now. I guess this is the moment of truth.”

Bria started bouncing up and down in her seat with a smile on her face, and handed me the package. This was like Christmas day for her or something. Like she bought me the best gift in the world and just couldn’t wait for me to open it. It was quite a funny sight to see.

I took the package from her and untied the ribbon. I carefully unwrapped the wrapping paper, as I wanted to keep it. It was one of the very last few things my mom touched. I shall frame it, with my name she signatured for me on display. As I was getting ready to open the lid, I just froze. I don’t know why, but I did.

“Oh for goodness sake..”

Before I could even register, Bria helped me lift off the lid, and all of the box's contents were on display.

“See now, was that so hard? Now come on, dig through it, and explain to me what’s inside.”

Another thing about Bria, she is not only the best support system, but also a very straight to it person. She wastes no time and sometimes I wish I could be just like her.

Inside the box were a few things I never thought I’d see again. So familiar I started happy crying. Inside, the first thing I picked up was a bracelet. It was a beaded bracelet, obviously made by a child. It was gold and blue, Luke and I’s favorite colors, and in the middle were our initials with a heart pendant in the middle of that.

“Oh that is adorable! What do those letters stand for?,” Bria asked excitedly.

“It’s Luke and I’s initials…” I remember fondly the day we made them. It was one of our usual weekend hangouts, when our moms would get together.

“Hey Lily-pop, we should make something that says we’ll be best friends forever!”

“You’re right Lukey, what should we do?”

“Hmm, I dunno. You decide.”

“How about bracelets? Then we can wear them all the time and everybody can see them!”

“Yeah, that sounds great!”

We sat there making those bracelets till mom called us over for lunch. When we were finished we showed them to mom. I lost mine a month later, but I never told Luke that. I always had excuses like I forgot to put it back on after my bath or something. I guess mom found it eventually and saved it for me.

“Aww that’s so cute Lilyyyyyy, what’s next?”

Next was a small little notebook that mom filled out with all the things she thought I should know about adulthood. Whatever you could possibly think of it, it was there. There was also a picture of Luke, myself, and our moms under the big pear tree at their house. It was our favorite spot to play, picnic, and we got to pick the pears. Neatly packed away was my mom's lucky charm, also known as her red butterfly hair clip. It was really expensive because the wings each have one small diamond on it. At the bottom of the box, were two random keys, what looks to be a car key of some sort, and a letter. The envelope had my name on it signed by my mother as well. I’m assuming the letter is the most important part. But leave it to my mom to go above and beyond.

Bria and I looked at each other curiously and then I opened the letter. It read:

My dear Lily,

I had an epiphany. I, as well as yourself, know what that means. I don’t know how to say it, but my time is nearing an end. I hate to feel that way, and believe me when I say Julie gave me an earful. You two are the only ones who know about this gift of mine, and I hate that I’m never really wrong. My passing is unknown to myself, as to how it may happen. But sadly I know it is near. So, I feel like as your mother, I should prepare you for the life I wish I could see you grow in. I want to be by your side as you grow, but sadly that may not come to be. So, I shall leave a few things with you.

I’m honestly not surprised at the fact that mom left me anything. She is a very generous giver.

First things first my lucky charm. I wouldn’t want anyone else to have it. It also complements our hair best, so it’ll look beautiful on you. That way it feels like I am passing on a little luck to you every time you need it. I also decided I’m going to give you a survival guide. I’m not quite sure what to expect to happen after I pass, but if I could guide you in any way I can I will. Next are the 3 keys. Now you may be wondering by now, what in the world could these 3 keys be for?

As always she is reading my mind. Even from beyond this world.

Well, first the car key. Yes, it is a car key my love. I’m leaving the car with Julie because I know it will be in good hands. Remember that time I spent in the city away from you guys? When I went away for work for like 3 months? I purchased my own house there and a nice car. Grandma and grandpa knew about it. However, I never told your dad and brother. Your father would never want to move there. He always said it was too loud and crowded. But the house is just on the outskirts. It’s still in the city, but in an area where there are mostly houses and not complexes. It’s quite peaceful. As for the car it’s more on the expensive side, your dad and brother aren’t exactly the best at taking care of things, and honestly your dad only has a slight idea of how much I make.

I couldn’t help but laugh because it was true. I know they always said that men are rough, especially country men, but they were a bit too rough. Rough and wild. I don’t know how mom and I managed.

I know it all may sound crazy, but with the last key it actually leads to a safety deposit box that’ll explain things further, and there’s a nice gift for you as well. All of those things are for you my love. Your brother has his own gifts I left him, so don’t worry your pretty little head. I already know what you are thinking.

Again with the mind reading, but I expect nothing less from mom. She loved my brother and I dearly. There’s no doubt about it.

And last but most definitely not least, your bracelet and a nice photographed memory for you. I got a duplicate of this picture from Julie herself. The bracelet I found like 6 months after you and Luke made it, however 5 months after you guys made it was when I had my epiphany. So, I decided to box it up as a momentum. Find him Lily. If there is one thing I want you to do more than anything is to find him. Reconnect. I’m sure after my passing Julie won’t stay. It’ll hurt her too much and I don’t blame her. But I also know that you and Luke will be separated which will be harder for you… Find him my love. Get back what I so selfishly took from you. It would make all of us happy. Maybe you guys could live in the house I left for you. Ha! I can see it now! I’m sure Julie could too. Or even if you take another friend there with you I’ll be happy all the same.

Take care my love, and live a beautiful life. Take leaps of faith. Continue to grow into the beautiful human-being I know that you are. I’m with you forever and always.

Love,

Mom <3

By the end I’m in full blown tears and so is Bria. She sat over my shoulder reading the letter with me the whole time.

“That was so sad and so beautiful at the same time,” Bria started, “But that also means we have some trips to make! It’s a good thing I’m off this weekend. So I think we owe Mrs. Julie a call in the morning, so we can start the next chapter of your life!”

I smiled and nodded in agreement. Now I know why Mrs. Julie said to call her after I opened the box.

“Well, Lily looks like your new life officially starts now. And we have a prince charming to find. But, I wonder why Mrs. Julie didn’t mention anything about him…”

I wondered the same thing, but I guess I could ask her that tomorrow. As I was putting everything back in the box and we started to get ready for bed, something fell out of the book mom left me. I picked it up and it was a dried up marigold framed in a cute, mini frame. I smiled and threw it in the box. Maybe I’ll get through the contents of the box again tomorrow.

For now I’m just happy to go to sleep knowing that no matter what, or where in life I am, my mom is always thinking of me. Always with me…

TO BE CONTINUED.