Tuesday, February 11, Mount Washington
As the world throbs with upset during this time, human beings’ innate natural spirit of caring, connection, generosity and standing together has been front and center in my lap and in my mailbox, in the most creative, delightful, BEAUTIFUL ways.
And now, one tale…and an enchanting herd of tails.
In previous posts, there was mentioning of my elephant and turtle collections that had burned in the fire, and the subsequent action on the part of friends to remedy the loss.
These posts travelled far and wide and one came to the attention of a woman named Lisa.
Last week I visited my Santa Monica mailbox and found a small package waiting for me with a St. Paul, Minnesota address.
Hmmm, who do I know in St. Paul?
Anyone?
I carried it back to my car, peeled off the outer wrapping, opened the box and underneath a classic Indian green and gold notecard, there were half a dozen ‘somethings’ neatly tucked in together and bubble wrapped.
I opened the card and read.
Lisa introduced herself as a friend of a friend on Facebook. We three had all attended the same school in India, though Lisa was 12 years younger than I and therefore we had never crossed paths. She shared that her father’s life work had been in India, as mine had, and that he had collected elephants. Her parents had both passed years ago and she and her siblings together decided that these elephants, lying in the box in my lap, should now find a new home and history with me.
Deep breath.
Tears streaming.
Need I say more?
I did not unwrap the bundles. I put them down and flashed on how one of my grandsons had had a particular connection to my elephants, he had asked specifically if they were ‘gone’.
I was planning on driving down to visit the family for a few hours…my first since the fire….on Sunday.
The box rode in the front seat of the car with me, and when I arrived, after hugging and hoopdidooing, I stole Moses away and together we sat in the car and I shared the Lisa story.
One by one, with gentle enthusiasm, Moses unwrapped each one.
“Wow, Mamgee, the wooden ones look just like yours! But the sparkly mirror one is different! Magical! And the red one!” And then, with the last one, out tumbled a mama and several little ones, “A FAMILY!”.
Yes. A family. This wee herd will live with me until I am not longer, and then with Moses.
And Lisa is our elephant angel.
Thank you, Lisa, Thank you, Life.