Thank You card

Months ago, I was fumbling through my closet and found some old keepsakes that were wrapped with a dark purple ribbon. As I looked through them, I fumbled on an old Thank You card.  It had a very simple floral design of faded pink flowers and light mint color leaves that read Thank You in the front of the card.  I opened the card and it read,

“Dear Emilia, With sincere thanks for your kindness, It was appreciated more than words can say,” then signed From Your Sister, Mary Magdalene Rodriguez and it was dated March 9, 2001.  My sister had signed my name, the date and her own name; which meant this card that was given to me was during her healthier and stronger days as she was battling MS.

As I sat on my bed in my room with the card in my hand, I kept reading it over and over again hoping that it would trigger a memory.  However, it didn’t so I started to wonder about what I did to deserve such a beautiful card?  “What did I do? What did I do?”, I kept mumbling to myself. So then, I started to wonder about the date, “What was I doing on March 9^th?  I know I was working, I know I had my car back in 01’ but what did I do?”

I couldn’t remember so I went to the next best resource, my mom.

“Ma, what did I do for Mary in March of 01’?  I found this thank you card and I can’t remember what I did for her?” As I showed my mom the Thank You card, she replied,” I don’t remember.” “That’s great.” I responded with even more frustration. As I walked off I started to realize that the only person I was really frustrated with was myself. For the life of me, I couldn’t remember why I received this card from my sister Mary Magdalene. 

So, I decided to go my sister and see what I might be able to find out.  As I walked into my sister’s bedroom, the MS had already gotten to a point where my sister’s speech was being challenged.  “Mamas, do you remember why you gave me this card?” I asked.

I read it to her and then looked up to see if I got any reactions.  Her eyes filled with tears and she softly said. “No.”  My sister’s memory was becoming harder and harder for her to remember the past but I was hoping that maybe the card might spring a memory of her kindness.  I hugged her and said,” I'm  sorry  Mamas. I didn't mean to make you cry, I was just wondering if you remember why you gave me this card and I just want to say thank you.  I am going to keep it on my meditation table along with my statues of Santos, ok?” she smiled and whispered, “okay.”

To this day, I still don’t’ remember why I received this card from my sister but looking back in the last three years, I should have given her a Thank You card.  Thanking her for giving me the opportunity to serve in a way that I never thought I could be able to serve and helping me to grow to be a better person. 

So here is my Thank You card to my sister Mary Magdalene Rodriguez.

My Dearest Mary,

Thank you for being my sister and helping me to grow and see life with such love, faith, patience and kindness.  You have made me flourish in ways that I could have never imagined. 

I love you very much!

Your sister,

Emils