The box sat unopened on the kitchen table, a bottle of red wine close at hand, long-stemmed glass in reach.
Off came the lids and memories spilled forth:
Newlywed couple, too young to know the perils of an uncertain future.
Pensive new mom in a white nightgown holding her firstborn, swaddled in soft blue bunting.
Happy one year old, face covered in frosting.
Another newborn held tightly, this one covered in pink.
A grinning toddler waving chubby fists over a Cabbage Patch birthday cake.
Wine poured, a tentative taste.
Years roll along. Kindergarten, primary years. Slow days, fast years.
Field day ribbons in primary hues.
Teachers’ notes in calligraphy
Cards from grandparents, now long gone, the signatures unique and cherished. Tangible proof of their love.
A bit more wine, a smooth second sip. Sweeter, deeper, longer.
High school awards, who knew they’d had so many?
Yearbook photos from different schools
Letters from crushes, embarrassingly frank, oh this is blackmail material!
Pour another glass. Wipe a tear away.
Graduation photos with family and friends.
Caps and gowns
Alma mater in the background
That glass went quickly! Pour another. Be generous. That’s good.
Adventures abroad
Wedding gowns and cummerbunds
Honeymoons
First grandchildren, three months apart
Sweet babies. She has my nose. He has your smile. More wine? Please.
New grandchildren are born
Personalities emerge–this one a tomboy, this one mercurial, this one a charmer; all loved
Marriages shift
New alliances form
Those were difficult days. Yes, more wine, please.
Holidays and birthdays
Moving days, so far away
Family reunions, look how we’ve grown! From two scared kids to this grand family.
Enough for one afternoon. Besides, we’re all out of wine. Close the box and kiss me.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Most poignant
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Thank you.
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This is so sweet!! I was wondering what the post was directing towards and the picture at the end gave me a huge smile 😊 lovely post! – Michelle
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Thank you! I’ve been going through family pictures to make scrapbooks for my adult children. I keep getting distracted and weepy.
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That’s so sweet. A whole life in one box.
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Thank you!
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I so enjoyed how you wove the glasses of wine through the reminiscing. The poem had the flow of the years, the slow years when the kids are growing up and then they take on speed somehow as the kids are grown and they slowly make their own families. I have to mention that I absolutely loved the line, “signatures unique and cherished. Tangible proof of their love.”
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Oh! Thank you. I realized after mom died that her signature was truly a blessing. Glad I’m a packrat and saved most of the cards she sent over the years. And my dad didn’t sign many cards, so his signatures are even more special.
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