Today, I opened the cedar box
that sits at the foot of my bed.
I looked through everything inside
and the memories danced in my head.

Once it was a Hope Chest,
a young girl's hopes and dreams,
filled with shiny crystal—
a dowry, if you please.

I wasn't looking for that special guy;
he just walked into my life.
Then, when I least expected it,
he asked me to be his wife.

Now baby books and little shoes
fill the cedar box
beside the last quilt Mama made
and Daddy's pocket watch.

A few old cards all signed with love,
and jewelry here and there,
yearbooks, report cards, hats, and clothes,
and pictures I need to share.

Letting go is hard to do
of memories good and bad;
cancelled checks and hospital bills
tend to make me sad.

So today I'll burn and bury them
and put bad memories aside
and then just let the Hope Chest be
where all good things abide.


© by Linda Tillis Crosby.
Used with the author's permission.