justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

Always Have a Hanky in your Pocket

One of several admonitions I received from my mother - words of advice spoken often and with emphasis - was to make sure I always had a handkerchief or tissue in my pocket. It seems that having a hanky to use with a runny nose or to offer to someone in need was a sign of proper upbringing.

I remember that lesson well, still having a hanky in my pocket as I’m writing this note. The hanky lesson also contributed to an interesting coincidence just after my mother passed away at 96 years of age.

I remember going to the funeral home to claim my mother’s ashes. She’d wished to be cremated upon her death.  I looked around at the variety of containers available for me to purchase for her ashes, while waiting for the attendant at the home. I was having a difficult time keeping the tears at bay. Adding to my already blurry vision from crying was the fact that I had left my glasses in my car. I was having a really hard time focusing on anything.

As the attendant was entering the waiting room and after scanning all my options for containers, I settled on a very colorful one at the end of the shelf - one with a variety of flowers all over it.

I stood as he entered. We shared condolences and I then walked over to the container at the end of the shelf – the container I had selected while waiting.

Upon drawing close to the container, I was both surprised and amused to realize that the container I had selected was in reality a Kleenex box, full of tissues! That container would certainly (and perpetually) allow me to follow my mother’s admonition to never, ever be without a hanky or tissue.

Thanks Mom, for taking care of me right up to the end!