Crumbs From the Corner: Adventures in Woolgathering

Monday, March 2, 2009

No Letter



"And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?"
-W.H. Auden

I recently sent Mater a little package- some medals I collected while on an excursion to Mother Teresa's house in the heart of Calcutta.
Upon receiving the items this very morning, Mater assured me that she appreciated the gesture, and then proceeded to make a remark about the letter I had neglected to include.
"I don't know who it's from," she said, her tone as dry as dust, "but I enjoyed it very much."
To tell one truth, I sent the envelope in some haste, anxious for Mater to be in possession of it, and I had no time to consider the possible benefits of an epistle.
To tell another, Mater frequently dispatches parcels without a note or a name: the only way I establish the sender is by analysing the contents.
Teabags and sunhats and medicines and newspaper clippings are a particular signature of my mother's.
"Well," I said after a moment's consideration, "it was probably the very same as the letters you send me. I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"I get the message," I could hear Mater beaming over the telephone. "I know what it's like now. I'll be better in future."
And so it was that in a curious way, no letter was the loudest letter of all.

6 comments:

Pappy said...

There you go. Less is more. Glad Mater is able to sit up and take nourishment. Tell her I think about her often. She needs to start blogging so we can really pry into her private life. Hope Spring arrives in your area soon. Pappy

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Texican, I'll definitely tell her- Mater doesn't need a blog, though- if she has her own blog, what would I write about? ;) I can surely put the idea to her.
Hope you're feeling better too.

Pauline said...

isn't that always the way? sometimes tables are turned successfully lol

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Pauline, definitely- Mater got the message, I think ;)

Lanny said...

Oh my, I think I could stay here all day and read all of the posts you have ever written. I love your writing.

Phyllis Hunt McGowan said...

Thank you, Lanny. Much appreciated :)

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