Treasures

She firmly gripped the cardboard box as though it housed the formulas for happiness, longevity, and peace, as if it held a million dollars and a bag of gems. She sipped her bottled water that must last until the rescue team could reach her where she hovered on the roof alone and prayed as murky water crept up inch by inch. At last her saviors came. Soon she was safe inside a shelter miles away. She sat just staring, holding closely her brown box. Then someone asked, “May I see what you have?” Like one emerging from a trance, she spoke: “The water rose so fast! I grabbed this box and filled it with small treasures. Grandma gave this Bible to me when I turned 13. These photo albums tell the story of my family—my husband, long-deceased; me, all the kids and grandkids. How I love the present and the past these represent! Now, last--but surely not the least--are these two pairs of tiny shoes my babies wore. They symbolize the joys of motherhood and innocence of childhood pure and sweet.” The other lady, moved by what she’d heard, wiped tears away and said, “I’m glad you shared! I’d like to show you my mementos too.” The friendship born that day would last till death.