The Grieving Box

This box.

Big gifts can come in small, thoughtful, hand-folded packages.

Eleven days after Art died, one of his students sent this to me.  

That was over 15 years ago.

The letters of my name have fallen off.

The carefully crafted cardstock ribbon has been crushed.

But this box sits again on my bookshelf in my study.

The words inside are simple.

"Dear Kim, 

I made this box card to hold all of your family memories with Art, but of course, there are many more than this box can hold. 

I want you to know that we are thinking of you.  

Our condolence,

—--- and family. "

There is nothing more they could have said.  

Worrying if your gesture is big or helpful enough does not matter.  

Showing up does.