The package

Writing Prompt: A package arrives in the mail.  There is no return address, and  you do not recognize the handwriting.  What is inside?

 

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When I went to the mailbox today, there was a small package inside.  I didn’t recognize the handwriting on the box, and there was no return address.  I opened the package to find a small ring and a note.  The note said:

 

“Dear James,

 

By the time you get this, it should be Christmas time just after your 30th birthday.  I suppose you are living on your own now, with a family and all grown up.  This ring was given to my  mother, your great Grandma Ellie by your great-grandpa on the day he proposed.  She gave it to Grandma Dean on my wedding day, and I now give it to you.  I’m sure your wife will enjoy it as a Christmas gift.  I wish I could have been there to celebrate with you, but if you are reading this, I am in Heaven waiting for you now.  I hope you will join me here someday.

 

Love,

 

Grandma Agnes”

 

I set the letter down and looked at the ring.  It was silver, with a small diamond in the center.  Grandpa couldn’t afford much in those days, but I knew he would have paid for the best he could afford in those days.  It had been so long since I had seen either of my grandparents, or any of my family for that matter.  Life had taken me down an unexpected journey, one I don’t care to repeat anytime soon.

 

I set the ring down on the stand in my living room and walked to the window.  The snow was falling hard, and from my second-story apartment, I could see the buildings and trees getting covered in a fresh layer of snow.  It was so quite, so empty.  If only my grandmother had known where I would be now.  I was still single, no family, and certainly didn’t own a house.  In fact, the apartment wasn’t really my apartment at all, if it wasn’t for my friend Bill, I would be homeless right now.  I sighed.  Why couldn’t life be simpler?