Her body was a small petite frame and weighed no more than I would say 125 pounds. She was soft spoken and always had a big smile and a hug whenever she greeted you. It did not matter who you were. I was blessed to meet her and for many years I was welcomed in her home. It was a small one bedroom place with not much room but there was always plenty of space if you needed to crash. What I remember from her the most was her willing ways to help and give to others, when she herself had nothing. It sat on top of a mantle. It was a small piggy bank where she would always drop a quarter when she had one to drop in. Throughout the years I am sure she would go into that piggy bank and use what she needed. But she was always placing quarters to save for as she called it needier times.
The piggy bank became full and she was now receiving more help from friends, and family. The piggy bank remained full for many years as she could not fit anymore quarters in there. As she became older and had to move around that piggy bank went with her all the time. As her health bagan to fail the inevitable came to pass. She left us and she left that piggy bank as a reminder to us. The piggy bank was maintained the way she left it full and untouched. It was in the possession of a gentleman who knew her well. He and his wife cared for her in her last days. He and his wife helped her throughout many years. And on my visits I saw that she was happy with them.
The sad turn of events in people life make people do unthinkable things. The two people who cared for her sadly after a few years were now getting a divorce. Divorce makes people do crazy things. He had to move out and she stay where she was. After a few months he was sent his things and in one of the boxes there was the piggy bank! Only that this time it was empty. His wife and her daughter saw to it that there was no money in that piggy bank! I guess the money went to paying something of buying food or whatever. I am sure she would have been proud.
As me and my friend placed the piggy bank on the his shelf, I took out a quarter and I said to him, she may be gone, but she left us a piggy bank to fill back up! And as it goes its almost full! His ex-wife gave him and me one of the best things we can have in life! The memories of someone who was first a mother, then a great friend! Like my mom she will always be a lady who knew that even though we were grown men she was still giving us advice of what was right and what was wrong!
God Bless,
N4KMA