Saving stuff and Victoria's bluebell

Lyman County, South Dakota's Genealogy

Saving "stuff" and Victoria's Bluebell

It is about one-half inch by two- inches in size. When I inherited a hope chest full of "treasures" from my aunt, Victoria Stallman, there were several small boxes in it with things in the boxes that could only mean something to family. Somehow, an end piece from one of the boxes ended up in an envelope carry back and forth to work. It lays here on my desk, under a tray and when I see it sticking out from under there, I think of Grandma Stallman. It is just a piece of green/blue-mottled cardboard, but it's one of those things that it isn't necessarily what it is; it's what it is and I like it when it reminds me of my grandmother.

And while I'm in my Stallman mode this week, I want to share my "bluebell story." Make of it what you will. Aunt Victoria had a coffee can sunk into the ground just to the southeast of her door. In the spring, she waited anxiously and watched for the first sign of life from her treasured bluebell. She passed away in the month of November and left a big void in my life. The next spring, a bluebell (hers?) mysteriously appeared below my picture window and each spring I watch and wait patiently for it to come back, and it does. I'm sure Victoria sees it, too.

This page last revised Sunday July 09, 2006 11:37 PM