LETTERS: MOM LEFT MEMORIES IN SHOE BOX

To the editor:

As few years ago my mom gave me an old shoe box filled with memos from my childhood she wanted me to have. Inside the box were photos of me as a child, pictures of various animals I had for pets and other little trinkets and things I had given her over the years. The shoe box contained memories of practically my entire childhood. I have rummaged through that old shoe box many times and could almost tell you every item inside without removing the lid.

My mom recently passed away. As Mother's Day approached, I wanted so much to write a letter about this special day. However, I just couldn't find the right words to say. In a final effort, I sat at the table and meditated for an idea when suddenly I felt compelled to open up that old shoe box again.

As I removed the lid, I noticed something was written on the underneath side of the lid that I had never seen before. It was my mom's handwriting, and it said, "The flower was with my Mother's Day present the first Mother's Day when we lived at 930 N. Middle St."

I had seen the flower she was speaking of many times, and I always wondered why mom gave me an old plastic purple orchid with two plastic leaves of green. I will most likely never remember the present I gave my mom that day. Nevertheless, my mom wanted to make certain that I remember something which meant so much to her: a plastic purple orchid with two plastic leaves of green.

RON FARROW

Cape Girardeau