Teresa

When we first moved into the house we live now, there was an older lady who lived across the street. She had suffered with polio as a child and was confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't stop her from living.  One warm day, my kids and I were outside eating Popsicles and she was out watering her garden.  We took a Popsicle over to her and you'd have thought it was made of gold. I don't think she cared about the pop as much as the company. After that we spent more and more time getting to know her and she became our adopted "Grammy." She even signed birthday cards that way. When she passed away, we knew a member of our family had died.  Shortly after there was an estate sale, and as much as the trend these days is not to keep "stuff", sometimes items do have a meaning beyond their material value.

TERESA

The cut crystal jar that was always filled

With a never-ending supply of mints,

You know, those red and white disc-shaped candies...

It was empty now, and I picked it up

Knowing the crowds of pickers had no clue

Of its real value, to me anyway.

The candy was gone, as gone as she was.

Standing in the midst of it all, I cried

Remembering the taste of peppermint

But only tasting the salt from my tears.

Caren E. Salas