First Posted: 7/3/2014
Heard a shuffle on the front porch and knew it was not the mailman since he had been here earlier in the day. Looked around and then down to find a cardboard box resting next to the door. It was not a large box just a little larger than a shoe box. Picked it up and read the label. It was my birthday package arriving from Texas a day earlys. As is customary in our family, packages are opened on the day of the event so I put it aside for the next day when I would celebrate my 80th birthday.
I placed the box on a dining room chair and went back to what I was doing which, at this time, I don’t remember what it was. Passing the box several times, it seemed to be drawing me like a magnet so I decided to open it and would place the wrapped presents on the dining room table. The box had no outer wrapping; it had been secured with rows and rows of tape. A struggle ensued between me and the tape in my attempt to open the box with scissors. It didn’t work! Need I tell you my Sicilian was kicking in?
When I finally opened the flaps, there was a layer of tissue paper lying on top. Upon removing the covering, I gasped and felt a stabbing pain. The flaps were quickly closed and I stood there with tears streaming down my face. I was frozen on the spot.
Chet walked into the kitchen, looked at me in bewilderment and asked, “What was in the box?” I could not respond. My emotions were out of control.
The box went back on the dining room chair. After some time had passed and I was calmer but still tearful, I turned to Chet and told him I had received my “Birthday in a Box.”
For many years, I had prepared and sent birthday boxes to Michele and Marilyn when they lived away. Receiving one hit a chord of remembering and magnified the ache of separation. Like Scarlet, I muttered “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”
Tomorrow dawned with birds chirping, the sun shining brightly overhead and casting shadows of deep purple on the mountains. It was a glorious day to celebrate two special occasions in my life, the first being the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the other my birthday of 80 years.
After breakfast that morning, it was time to face “The Birthday in a Box.” Gently opening the box, I was greeted with confetti, horns, candles for the cake, a birthday card and two birthday bags which read “Open this” and the other “Open with Marilyn.” The “Open this” bag was from Nicolas and Alexander and contained a beautiful heart-shaped necklace which is our symbol of love for each other.
I called Marilyn and asked her when she was stopping by so that I could open the other bag. She responded, “Since you are busy today and I won’t see you, take it to the dinner party on Monday night.” The bag went back on the dining room table. Every now and then, I would give the bag a squeeze; it seemed to be filled with just paper. I waited.
Getting back to the first event occurring on my birthday. It was at a meeting of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Guild that I learned that the Feast of the Sacred Heart would be on June 27. I felt such joy within for the Feast of the Sacred Heart has been special to me from early childhood.
Late Friday afternoon of June 27, I received a telephone call from Ralph at the Pittston Florist asking if I would be home since he had flowers to deliver. “Ralph, I will be leaving the house at 6 p.m.” Chet and I were attending an evening mass at the Oblates of St. Joseph in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Attending would be members of the Diocesan Enthronement of the Sacred Heart Guild and the Sacred Heart Singers. This special mass was planned by Father Joseph Sibilano.
Shortly thereafter, Ralph Jr. and Ralph Sr. knocked at my door, each holding bouquets of flowers. I went weak in the knees when Ralph Sr. handed me a bouquet of calla Lilies and roses that were sent to me by my cousin Sadie Miceli MacDonald who resides in Bristol, Conn. and who also celebrated her 80th birthday on June 12.
Her mother, my Aunt Phillipa Miceli,was devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, instilling in those close to her the love she felt for him. Yearly, as his feast day approached, she went from house to house asking for a small donation to purchase flowers that would decorate an arch to encircle his statue located in St. Rocco’s Church. The flowers selected were calla lilies and roses. In my mind I can envision the beauty of the arch and the love of Jesus shone by my aunt.
I know I am jumping from subject to subject but I have to finish the tale of the little bag sitting on my dining room table. As per instructions from Marilyn, the bag accompanied Chet and me to dinner and was placed directly in front of me. The squeezing of the bag continued with visions of dinner cards, movie cards or gift certificates enclosed.
The signal to open the bag was finally given by Marilyn. With excitement and anticipation, I carefully removed the layer of tissue paper to find a box inside containing a James Avery bracelet. The inscription encircling the bracelet reads, “And Lo. I Am With You Always.”
A special ending to a special day!
