3 minute read
Dear Carl by Anna Friend
(Carl’s mom writes him letters occasionally. Carl is her only child. Carl’s father died when he was in college. Living in the Arizona, Carl calls his Mom in the Carolinas as often as he can on Sundays. Carl’s mom is in her 80s. She lives in a contemporary world with old fashioned values.)
Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine. Son, we used to sing this song at church often. Sadly, it has been a long time since we have been in church. This time of sheltering in has been hard on me. If not for my Bible, and Sheba, I would be very lonely. I check my mail at our mail center at a certain time each day now. We in the community are careful to not get to close to each other. I haven’t met the new neighbors yet. I am reminded and comforted by the words of your daddy, “It won’t always be this way.”
Spring cleaning is my focus this month. I am organized but there are little things that need tending to. I have some cobwebs in the corners of my cottage. I wish I would have kept one of your dad’s white t-shirts when we were sorting his things. I used to tie one around the broom to sweep the webs out of the corners. The thought that spiders are living with me gives me the willies. It is time to wipe down some cupboard fronts too. I like to use pine smelling cleaners. Your dad always said our home smelled like a hospital. I don’t think they smell alike. Spring is much more than cleaning house. It’s about newness and beauty. I have new flowers in large pots under my living room window. The gardener waters them for me. Flowers bring me joy, except for pansies. I never have liked them but what did the gardener add to my flowerpots? Yep, those silly faced flowers. He said, “These here smile at ‘chu’.”
Son, spring is also a good time to rid of the old and add something new. I am working on ridding myself of old attitudes and meaningless tasks and habits. Time is precious for your old mama. It’s about time I stop thinking the world will ever go back to old values, styles, and traditions. Shirley is excited about my new outlook. I now see young people’s hearts and not their clothes or appearances. I don’t have to wear stockings and a dress to go the bank. I just need to be clean, and presentable. My house doesn’t have to be perfectly clean and organized each day. I can leave the house with a few dishes in the sink, and the sinks don’t have to be scoured every morning. Shirley says I need to take time for bubble baths, putting on a face (make-up), walking in the park, and meeting new friends. You should know by now, son, she means put on some lipstick, smell good, and find a man or two to talk with. She never goes on dates or anything. She just loves people, their attention, and her ability to make them laugh. I love that about her. I hurt that she is sick.
Call me son as you faithfully do. Buy Donna some flowers, not pansies. Do something fun and new this season. Being inside doesn’t mean boredom. Read your Bible I sent you. Mail me one of your white T-shirts.
Love, mom
1 Peter 1:3-5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
