Twenty years is a short time to collect memorable artifacts that mark milestones in your life. But in a small box in my dresser drawer are Joe's treasures. His class ring, Cum Laude cross, the pen knife for the Campbell Award; the second highest award given to a graduating McCallie man. Of course in the box were the St. Christopher's and St. Michael's medals given to him from a dear friend and family. And the special the Air Force wings Johnny gave Joe at his last Chapel talk. Each were carefully wrapped in tissue and tucked away. Several times a week Joe would ask me to pull them out and he would slowly peel away the tissue paper proudly holding each one.
Today, as we take our first step of sorting through Joe's belongings, I took his treasures to the Holt's shop to have them framed. The shadow box will sit proudly on a shelf among the many books he collected over the years. What was amazing is that I could hold his dearest possessions in one hand.
The Holt's will turn these treasures into even more of one. I look forward to seeing the finished art.
ReplyDeleteHis dearest possessions, so very special yet so small do fit in one hand. What will never fit in one hand is the effect Joe has had on so many people in his 20 year life. The love that is shared, the lessons learned from Joe are infinite and will continue on forever like the waves of the ocean. What a profound effect he had in such a short time.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Sue