We received a care package today from my grandmother. After a couple weeks, and multiple inquiries as to whether it had arrived, we got it, and admittedly, we had high hopes.
Alas, when we opened the box (rather, when the customs guy opened it in front of us) we were rather nonplussed. In the medium sized package, was a smattering of snacks: one full sized can of pringles, a dozen loose tea bags, some candy, a couple small bottles of baking extract, etc. My first reaction was, “She shouldn’t have spent so much just to send snacks!”, but when we got home, and started pulling the items out, and organizing them, I had a thought.
I realized that she now lives in an elderly care home in upstate New York, alone for the most part. My grandfather passed away about a year ago now, and I know that it has been hard on her, as they were together for nearly seventy years. She’s not very mobile these days and as far as shopping options go, she’s likely limited to the small convenience store built into the corner of one of the hallways of the home.
I can imagine now, that she carefully chose the small items that she herself takes comfort in, thinking that we may not have access to simple pleasures like Pringles or vanilla extract. She, like many younger Americans, have little to no idea of the level of comfort and modernity we enjoy in Romania, and think of other, more medieval imagery when imagining Transylvania. So, though we may be relative quality of her care package, when I put myself in her shoes, it may be the most thoughtful gift anyone could have sent us.
I know I will sincerely enjoy my “Shur Fine” tea and pop tarts, and I will reminisce fondly of the time we spent together.