I've been asked recently about my outlook on Life, and why I'm interested and take Joy in so many small things, and I think that it's the company I keep. For example, a Granddaughter with the sharpest wit, a tender soul, and intellect way beyond her years. I just sent a copy of one of her e-mails to NANA DIANA, who had just sent me a profoundly great compliment, to illustrate the small things that BRIGHT me, every day. From a 21-year-old Jane Austen fan with her own magnificent library, eloquent writer, and magical touch with the knitting needles.
She works in a jewelry store, with her exquisite manicure modeling rings for bashful swains and their sweethearts, and a letter from her is a wonderful gift:
From last August, when I NEEDED a lift, as we were in the midst of four weeks of a hot, dusty, messy, EXPENSIVE re-wiring of the whole house:
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Happy August, Ganjin!! I’m practically sizzling with excitement for this approaching fall. One of my many philosophies is that since Christmas is allowed November, December and January, then we should grant my hearts most fondest holiday and season the last two weeks of August, the first belonging to the dog days of summer naturally. I’m so excited that I’ve already begun window shopping for new decorations. I have little reason these days for costumes, seeing as I’m not much of a party goer nor do I have parties to attend, but that opportunity may present itself at my local renaissance faire’s new fall festival.
I'm sorry my replies have been so few and far between. I’ve accidentally made myself quite useful at my job and I’ve taken as many hours as they can possibly give me. The shop is turning into something of a winter wonderland (my manager gets a bit ahead of herself when it comes to Christmas festivities). Every year we receive boxes upon boxes of stuffed animals for charity. The proceeds of them are donated to Saint Jude’s children’s hospital and the stuffed animals are either kept or donated to children or elderly in the surrounding area. I’ve enclosed a picture of our two variations this year. We’ve also put up this massive beautiful arch in front of our door that has inflicted a torrent of glitter upon the whole store and my person.
I had a woman come in the other day that reminded me so much of you. She had these lovely iridescent dragonfly wing earrings and was remarkably kind. She ended up buying on a whim a citizen watch that came with an extra bangle she swore to give to her daughter. Sometimes I think people are put in our path to remind us of loved ones so that we might love them even better and miss them even more.
Today is a lovely, breezy, overcast day. It’s a welcome break in the streak of 100 or more degree days. It makes me think of a Taylor Swift song I play obsessively once August shows its face. It’s a rather sad song (titled “August” aptly enough) but the opening lines “Salt air, and the rust on your door. I never needed anything more,” is a breath of fresh air every time I hear it. A reminder that every Summer closes with the relief of Autumn. That every sunburn heals and every humid inhale is one closer to the first fogged exhale of winter. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy my summer though. It was filled with new opportunities and excitement; long drives giggling over the ill fortune of a broken AC in 120° weather; cheering on friends from afar during brave, once in a lifetime kind of moves; and as always pages turned on a well loved book and stitches knit on a much anticipated project.
My current read is “The Invisible Man” but H.G. Wells and my current knitting project is a bag as a present for K’s birthday. You may know universal studios in Orlando has opened up a new park, and in it they have a whole land dedicated to the classic universal monsters I love so dearly. Amongst them is a character who hasn’t wandered the parks in many many years, the Invisible Man himself, and I was so utterly thrilled at his return that I just had to order the book in and read his story again. I’ve collected a handful of pictures I thought you’d might like to see of new jewelry, bookshelfs and trinkets, yarn and their subsequent end results, my newest silly bumper sticker, and critters and the like. I love you, I hope the last vestiges of summer ‘25 treat you well."xxxxxxxxxxxxxx\
ISN'T SHE A MARVEL? I'M SO BLESSED. THESE sweet young folks are whence springs my JOY.
No image although it did have a box that said "image.png"? Mind you, it didn't need an image with such brilliant imagery going on in that letter - how blessed.
ReplyDeleteIsn't she sweet? We've been on long-communication basis since the World shut down a few years ago, and I treasure every word.
DeleteThat is totally wonderful. I know she is a pure joy in your life. I couldn’t see the picture either. What a keeper of a message of love. This is Gayla. I have no way to put an update form sub box on my blog and I don’t know why. They say new blogs need to join substax or another similar service. You tell your granddaughter she’s a jewel. Old Prairie Moonlight.
ReplyDeleteI will tell her---she's a family treasure, and she and I feel sometimes that we're of another age, when we lapse into all those exuberant phrases. I've always said she has the oldest soul in the family.
DeleteWhat a delightful letter! I bet the JOY and BRIGHT you enjoy goes back and forth in your sweet family…many blessings spread around for you all to inhale. This granddaughter is a treasure, such kindness in her words.
ReplyDeleteHave a happy day and thank you for sharing. xox, Virginia
Isn't it though? We see each other seldom, but the connection is always there, and we tumble into conversation about some of the strangest things. What fun to have such a sweet spirit who lets you into her marvelous world.
DeleteWhat a special letter! She sounds like YOUR granddaughter!! What a joy! Love, love, love.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it feels like I'm kin to Tinkerbell and Jane Austen all at once. Such magical times we've had, since she was in Pampers---such a happy, talkative little sprite with only good things in that lively young mind.
DeleteCan you please clone her? What an amazing your woman and what a magnificent writer she is. You may we well be talking on the phone with such wonderful descriptions and so much news. I would treasure that letter every minute of the day, save it and savor it and put it in my "happy box" to look at on a down day. Best ever! (And thanks for coming by, too! Have a wonderful rest of the week!)
ReplyDeleteOh, Would that I could!! We'd have so many adventures and tell so many stories, we'd hardly have time for Tea! And I've had her and all the GRANDS in special places in my heart and in my "Happy Box," from the very first one, 40 years ago.
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