Lost in the mist of time

  It seems that speech has changed a good bit in the past few generations.  Some old letters of my mom's were shown to my two youngest kids (who are adults now) and all I heard were fits of giggles. A few of these letters were ones that were exchanged between Mom, (Ruth) who was away at college, and her little sister, Helen.  Helen was still in high school at the time.  Ruth and Helen had their own "language" that started as verbal conversations during their childhood but then spilled over through college years.  Why, as matter of fact, even some of the letters and conversations in their later years contained snippets of phrases that made no sense to the rest of the world. They were the only ones who knew the meaning of their made-up words. One of the words that caused hysterics was "gaddlelack".  We never really figured out what the word meant but, invariably, it was in almost every letter that was exchanged between the two young girls.  Even in one of the final letters ever to be sent, the word was scribbled on the sidelines and then stated to be a household word with Helen's grandkids.  Another thing that struck my kids as being cute was the nicknames of "Bo" (Ruth) and "Mo" (Helen).

  Another comical bit written by Helen was the explanation of the stars and moon.  She stated that her class was studying the stars and Mars but that her teacher had it all wrong.  She went on to explain that stars were actually the Moon's eggs and space was a large nest.  When an egg became rotten, the moon would kick it out of the nest thus creating falling stars!  Wow!  I have never heard space explained as such and figured that I would have liked studying astronomy a lot more if that was what was taught!

  One of the last letters that my mom received from Helen was heartbreaking.  She managed to put on a cheery act but told of how she was hurting and how easy it would be to just give up.  This letter, like the others, did contain a bit of their "language" but was a far cry from the comical creations of their younger days.  I sat reading through this bunch of papers and realized that I was watching their entire lives play out before my eyes.  From happy youngsters, to young women, to old ladies..these two kept their close relationship strong through written letters.  Then I thought of emails, texts, phone messages, digital photographs and realized what the world is missing.  My grandchildren will not have the insight of my life like my kids got today of their grandmother and their great-aunt.  Things will be lost as we are becoming more a people of the moment with nothing lasting to pass on to our kids and grandkids.  No longer will it be a rite of passage to sit looking at paper photographs.  No longer will letters be read and reread.  No longer will secret "languages" be shared from generation to generation.  A lot will be lost due to this thing called progress.  A lot will be lost forever.

Old Letters and Bunny Rabbits

You might rightly be wondering just what in the world old letters and bunny rabbits have in common and I am here to tell you...absolutely nothing!  Nothing that is unless you were at the Little Bayou House today.  It rained again today..or better said..it poured again here today.  So much so that each time I tried to make my way to the pier, I was soaked!  Nevertheless, I did head outside to the gardens.  It was too soggy to do more than wade through the wet grass but an old friend came out to meet me.  Mama Rabbit wandered over to where I was standing and curiously eyed me.  I am surprised that she was not scared out of her wits by my constant slapping of the mosquitoes that decided to dine upon my blood but she edged ever closer.  Once she was within arm's  reach, I so wanted to reach down and pet her but instinct told me that might frighten her away forever so I restrained my impulse and just watched her.  From the mere three feet distance, I could see even the smallest of whiskers on her face. I watched as she wiggle her nose at me..trying to catch my scent.  She has a small nick in the tip of her left ear and a scar that runs just below her right eye.  Not once did she show fear of my presence. This all started me reminiscing of days long gone.

Earlier today, during one of the more fierce thunderstorms, I went through a box of old papers of my mother's. In it were several letters that she had written to her sister, my Aunt Helen.  I am one of the folks that finds it hard to part with some things and these letters were not destined to the trash bin.  After unfolding one letter, I read one paragraph about me as a youngster.  Mom was relating to Aunt Helen about a time where a mother rabbit brought her babies out for me to hold.  I must have been rather young but I do remember the incident well.  The rabbit evidently knew that I meant no harm and probably considered me the perfect babysitter.  She would have a bit of rest from that rambunctious brood!  Mom went on to tell how I held other critters as well.  Squirrels, snakes, birds and even fox kits.

While I stood in the wet grass talking to Mama Rabbit, the contents of that letter were being replayed in my head.  Animals are supposed to have an natural fear of humans.  Why not of me?  Is there some innate sixth sense that lets critters know that I do not wish to harm them?  Have they just grown so accustom to my presence that they have lost all fear?  I am not sure but I am a bit inwardly pleased that my furry and feathered friends do feel the connection.

So you see, old letters and bunny rabbits do have something in common even if only here on the Bayou.  Mom, Aunt Helen, rainy days, bunny rabbits, old letters and friendships all have something in common..even if it is only me.