LJ Idol Week 2, Prompt: Sankofa

[mollywheezy]

The wildfires were getting closer. I had the news on at top volume so I could hear the TV from my bedroom while I hurriedly packed a bag, preparing for the order of a mandatory evacuation. I put all of my medications and toiletries and as many of my clothes as would fit into my largest suitcase, and then packed my two smaller suitcases and backpack as well. I piled the bags by the front door, grabbed a box from the garage and began to fill it with scrapbooks and framed photos. I had so many scrapbooks, they wouldn’t fit in one box, so I grabbed another, continuing to listen for the evacuation order, as I stuffed scrapbooks into a second and then a third box, adding them to the luggage pile at the door.

I heard the evacuation order on the TV, and then the power went out. I glanced out the back window of my house and could see the fire coming over the hill, only maybe a football field length away. I ran to the door and saw my pile. I wasn’t physically strong enough to carry even half of it. In a split second a sense of peace came over me, and I knew I did not need all that stuff. I took the framed photo of my three grown children and me from the top of the pile, grabbed the handle of the largest suitcase and left everything else behind.

*******

I made it to safety and firefighters extinguished the blaze before it reached my house. When I returned home, my boxes of scrapbooks and extra suitcases were still by the front door where I had left them. My backyard storage shed had been completely destroyed by the fire, taking all of my holiday decorations with it. I emailed all of my friends and asked them to make me a Christmas ornament representing a special memory from our friendship, or if they didn’t have the talent to make one to purchase something handmade by a local artisan. I was overwhelmed by the response!

My friend Jen gave me a cross she made out of plaster, decoupaged with flowers, since we went to church together during graduate school. My friend Traci cross-stitched and framed a colorful rooster, one of the symbols of The Walk to Emmaus (an ecumenical Christian retreat). I remembered the first time Traci spoke on a walk to Emmaus, she was having trouble writing her talk and was on the phone with me at 11 PM the night before she was speaking so I could help her fix it. Traci’s husband Peter gave me a carved wooden airplane, as when they came to pick me up at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport when I returned from visiting my son in Kazakhstan, Traci and Peter got separated and it took us an hour to find her. I had a ride from the airport and entertainment! Becki gave me a small chalice she made from clay. Steph crocheted a heart out of rainbow yarn. Beth gave me a felt sombrero in memory of the Mexican restaurant where our group of friends gathered each week for Happy Hour. Cindy gave me a clown, since that’s what I dressed as when we went to the symphony in costume on Halloween. Even some of the instruments were dressed in costumes that day! My tree that year was the most beautiful it had ever been, with every single ornament representing someone I loved and a special memory we had shared.



Author’s note: This is a true story, but it is my friend Julie’s story. She recently passed away so this is written in her memory.


Halloween 1998
Julie is the clown in the middle. My husband Peter is back left, and I (Traci-I decided to use our real names this season) am in front of him wearing a tiara. I can't believe how young we look!



RIP Julie ♥ ♥ ♥

Comments

[adoptedwriter]

I'm so sorry for the loss of Julie. I never knew roosters were a part of Christian symbolism. Maybe that's why so many people collect them.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you. The rooster is a Christian symbol of forgiveness because of Peter denying that he knew Jesus 3 times before the rooster crowed.

[roina_arwen]

Sorry to hear about Julie. Hugs!

[mollywheezy]

Thank you! *Hugs back*

[fausts_dream]

This is a very nice tribute to Julie. I am glad she lives on, on the page and in your heart.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you!

[muchtooarrogant]

A scary beginning with a very uplifting ending. Nice story.

Dan

[mollywheezy]

Thank you!

[nicholewithanh]

A wonderful reminder of what's truly important while also highlighting the things that hold meaning for us. I;m sure Julie would love this piece.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you!

[tonithegreat]

Oh wow! So many disasters of late. I like the way you told your friend's story here, and I'm sorry you've lost her. The feelings of making those packing decisions really come through in the first person. I almost wrote about a tornado that recently came through our neighborhood- the "no time to pack!" feeling that came with that and that you share here is so on-point for this.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you very much!

[chasing_silver]

What an intriguing story. RIP Julie, thank you for telling us her story.

[mollywheezy]

Thank for reading and commenting!

[thephantomq]

<3 Julie was clearly loved -- thank you for sharing part of her story here with us.

[mollywheezy]

Yes, she was. Thank you for reading and commenting!

[halfshellvenus]

I'm so sorry you lost your friend. That is a great photo of all of you, and a wonderful story about how to create something better from the ashes of destruction.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you. Even though her death was expected, it's still hard. We all had so much fun that night (as well as many other nights. ;) ) I just can't believe how young my husband and I look, especially since I have white streaks in my hair now, and my husband has a beard that's mostly gray, lol.

[sohardtohold]

I'm sorry for your loss. This piece is a great reminder that those we love can live on in our words and memories.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you very much!

[murielle]

Precious! Absolutely precious! Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

It really makes me think--what would I take, what would I leave?

Thank you for this post. <3

[mollywheezy]

Thank you!

My husband and I had a house fire when we weren't home, so we didn't get to decide what to take and what to leave. (It was NOT a complete loss) Even though I have items from loved ones that are very special to me, the stuff isn't what matters. <3

[murielle]

So true!

[n3m3sis43]

What a sweet tribute to your friend! I’m so sorry for your loss.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you!

[bleodswean]

This was sad but such a story of resilience in the face of terror and the unknown. I'm sorry for your loss.

[mollywheezy]

Thank you very much!

[inkstainedfingertips]

I am very sorry for the loss of your friend, but what a beautiful (and scary) memory to share. I have to believe the ornaments meant the world to her.

[alycewilson]

What a wonderful way to remember your friend. I adored this!

[xeena]

I'm.so sorry for the loss of your friend! This is such a beautiful tribute to her though, and I love the photos! (The costumes in the Halloween picture - my 12th birthday too - are amazing as well!)