Mom’s homecare giver told me in the summer that it would be a good idea to get her a hat for the winter months. I found a lightweight knitted hat last week. I put it together with a long-sleeve sweatshirt and two pairs of socks in a box. Then I added an adult coloring book, pencils and a small manual sharpener to the package and sent it on its way.
I ship packages overseas often, both to family and friends. In most cases, they are gifts for birthdays and holidays. Occasionally, I will send mom some small items that she will need or like. Almost always, the shipping costs are far larger than the value of the contents. I balance it with my good wishes and love to the person on the other side.
Thirty some years ago I came to the States with two huge suitcases, packed with clothing, stationery, supplies and dried goods. Like all international students on their first journey, I didn’t know what to expect. So, I stuffed everything that I could think of in the suitcases.
One major item missing from my luggage was a rice cooker. The old-fashioned cooker could be used as a steamer, a slow cooker and much more. I was worried to not have it.
As soon as I had a mailing address, mom started sending me all kinds of things. The rice cooker, because of its size, wasn’t among the first things to arrive. It was shipped by sea! I was so relieved to find the delivery slip in my mailbox about two months later. The orange red cooker remained one of the most often used items in my kitchen until last year when it finally stopped working.
Mom continued to send care packages to me for years. Unlike some other mothers and daughters, our long-distance calls were always short and to the point. The things that I found in the boxes told me more than words could express of mom’s thoughts and her love for me.
My packages for mom were small. But, they carry the message of appreciation and remorse—for not being near. They carry my good thoughts.