There is a "poem" out there that old ladies really enjoy ... at least if enjoyment is measured in the frequency with which it is forwarded in emails and posted to webpages. It pains me to add to it so suffice it to say that it warns others that the elderly will don red hats and purple clothes ... that don't match and doesn't suit anyone. This is all well and good except for the collateral damage such goings-on induce for others. These images of a recent gift that was intended as a thank you for a Mother's Day gift.The gift was Sue's discovery: a bracelet made from a bicycle spoke. The recipient enjoys it and reports that she is wearing it into the over-chlorinated public pool where she participates in geriatric, foam-making activities. I am not a jewelry person so I don't understand how difficult it might be to remove bracelets before splashing around in toxic water. So even though a silver bracelet (probably an heirloom) lost its shine and patina when it was worn into the pool, the new gift is not spared from similarly perilous exposure. There's a parenting metaphor in there somewhere I am declining to unpack.
The accompanying note reports other news including the discovery of a font wherein letters are riddle with holes. The rationale is that such a font would save ink. This discovery was made during preparations for a computer class for senior citizens, presumably at the local library or vo-tech school. Our correspondent writes: "Silly, but maybe worthwhile." More opportunities for psychological interpretation that will also be avoided.
A stand-alone paragraph states: "Printing out knitting patterns doesn't seem to make it more difficult to read." Cryptic to be sure especially with no prelude to knitting other than the enclosed fabric creation. But in the midst of a later paragraph about saffron (purchased in Spain and enclosed in the same recycled box) we read:
One of the knitting patterns was kinda' like stained glass windows. Had some more lavender colored yarn, so "invented" a new color scheme. Hope it works as well as the other washcloth.I don't recall a previous washcloth but expect a sibling would ... if she or he had received this handiwork.
To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of all this. Maybe the enigmatic nature of the object and note is because it is an art-form open to interpretation. In addition, I'm not sure what to do with the washcloth. I can't describe how it feels except to offer that it causes the exact opposite response to touching cashmere. Nerves and fingers jump away. Even when looking at it, my hands alternately freeze or convulse.
I realize that choosing to not have children will preclude me from passing along such gifts to my offspring. Even if we "adopt" friends' children as our own, the effect of notes and gifts will not create as strong of an effect. Phrases such as "Looking forward to our anniversary with everyone back together again. It's been a long twenty years" will not have the same impact. I guess that will be my gift to the next generation — not sending such gifts.
