My grandmother has been living in a nursing home for just over a year. At some point, it became apparent that she would not be able to return home again. She has invited the immediate family to take any of her belongings that we would like. This is a strange process for me, because it feels like something one would do after the loved one has passed away.
The last time I was at her home, I couldn't identify anything I really wanted to take, other than maybe one of the door handles from her old home. They are old-fashioned, and I associate them with the house where I spent so many years having fun, being loved, bonding with family, and growing up. They were difficult to latch when exiting a room, and us kids were forever being reminded to "SHUT THE DOOR! THE AIR IS ON!" Clearly, I'm not going to remove the handle & latch fixture though, as it would be blatantly obvious - even with a replacement of some sort - to any future inhabitant of the house.
After I returned home from that visit, it occurred to me that there was something I wanted, that could easily be removed from the house without effecting its functionality. I asked for one of the tiny plastic speckled cups that, as a kid, contained juice or Sun Drop with my evening snack. I also asked for one of the plain white mugs she had in her cupboard. The mug is not attractive in any way. It's not etched with the name of a place or a clever saying. But when MeMa made hot chocolate for me in one of those mugs that she and Granddaddy used, I felt awfully special. I'd pretend I was a grown up drinking coffee. I remember the Nestle Quik powder she used to make that hot chocolate, and all the Quik Bunny mugs and spoons she earned us with all the UPC codes.
So my mom brought one of the little juice cups and one of the white mugs back for me after her last visit. I haven't figured out where to put it or what to do with it exactly, but it is an icon of love and comfort that I will forever treasure.
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