Instead of Reading a Book, She Made Treasure
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If I told you that you could make treasure in ten minutes, would you believe me? What if I told you that you could create something that was priceless, what would you say?
Tucked away in a sweet 9-year-old's special box is a white envelope encasing a long hand-written letter on a card. It's not just any letter but some of the last words my mother wrote with a pen for Pelaiah, our second-born daughter.
When children cry it can sometimes mean they are not getting their way, but in our home a different dimension has been added these past few months --- grief. Today was another one of those days.
I looked at Pelaiah as tears welled up in her eyes. I asked her who offended her. She said no one did.
Then Pelaiah showed me the card she was carrying around in her hands. I looked at the sender. It was from my mother Anicia in Saipan and was dated on November 2012.
Pelaiah shared her card with me. It's been a long time since we all read it together. The memories and words of appreciation in her letter gripped my heart too.
With permission, Pelaiah gladly shares her treasure here.
Me: "Pelaiah, why would you like to share your special letter?"
Pelaiah: "I wanted to share my letter because she speaks with such richness and a lot of people would love to hear what she says. She's so loving just like you."
Here are the words to Mom's letter:
"November 25, 2012 (Monday) Hafa Adai my dear Pelaiah, It’s me! Nana Anicia,
Instead of reading before going to bed, I decided to write letters to each of you and I’m glad for doing this because I really love you all.
This card I’m writing on is a picture of one of those many stories in the “We drank our tears” book. Remember that book? The picture of the boy who wrote the story and drew this picture is on the back of this card.
Whenever I feel so mahalang for you all, I remember all those times we spent together playing at the park, picking mangoes early in the morning, walking around the block, watching you play with mommy & daddy outside, going to Yogurtland; setting the table for our meals, etc…
I treasure your willingness to help all the time and all the cute drawings you made for me.
I want to thank you again for being such a sweet and loving girl. You and sister Heistheway are such wonderful children because you are always obedient to mommy & daddy.
I look forward to receiving another drawing or picture from you. Thank you for that sweet note you sent me a few weeks ago. That was so special — it was a surprise actually.
Are you looking forward to seeing the snow soon? If you do get to have a chance to play with snow, would you and Heistheway and Abraham and Noah make me a nice big snowball? That would be fun! Please give everyone in the family a good Nana hug, okay?
Thank you Neni. Si Nana"
[reminder]What treasures do you create?[/reminder]
