Jan. 24, 2022

I KNOW EVIL PEOPLE. THEY ARE HEARTLESS AND---MEAN AS HELL.

I SHARED THIS IN LATE JANUARY, 2016, SHORTLY BEFORE FINISHING MY BOOK—THE BEAUTY QUEEN.

 "I've been steadily writing, day after day, determined to get to the last page so I can type my final words---The End.  A few minutes ago I was editing a page from my book and planning to share it at Easter time but--I feel a great urgency and--- must share it now.

The incident happened the day before Easter-- 2011-- and as the anniversary of the incident nears---I have no choice but remember.  It's short--it's sweet--- and it's very sad.  Please, indulge me.

 I've treasured the long-ago memories of my two little girls dressed in matching-pink Easter dresses, carrying hand-decorated baskets, and joining other happy children for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. I made-sure my daughters experienced memorable Easters and other holidays. God only knows how I tried to be a good Mother, even when I didn't have enough time or money. I wanted the same memorable Easters for my two, young grandsons but---their Mother and Father had other plans.

What happened just twenty-four hours ago was more than a coincidence.  I can’t stop the tears--or stop remembering.

 Yesterday, the day before Easter, 2016,  I noticed one of my treasured boxwood plants had died. Armed with my trusty shovel, I began digging around the base of the plant to remove it.  When I lifted the dead plant, a yellow plastic Easter egg dropped from the loose dirt and landed beside my foot. 

It took only a second to remember five years earlier, when I’d played Easter Bunny to my two grandsons. Apparently, I’d hidden this little yellow egg-- too well---so it hadn’t been found---until today.   I opened the egg and four quarters fell to the ground accompanied by a "Bunny" note.  The note, printed by me, said “I will always love you, Gigi." 

 It was our last Easter together. Two months later, their heartless Parents jerked my grandsons from my life---and my heart. I never saw them...again. 

One yellow plastic egg came out of hiding today to remind me--- of what will never be again.

Sally Miller