Skeletons and Hall Closets

As I have been packing these past few weeks I have consciously been avoiding the "hall closet" otherwise known as- where everything goes that doesn't have a place.- The reasons behind this deliberate avoidance are the sheer volume, and second, all my "special stuff" is in there. I don't know about you but I can't objectively organize "special stuff" without becoming a complete basket case. So I carefully open up the first folder and it is filled with bridal photos from my 1st wedding! Which I might add was a complete write off given the fact that he hightailed it after 4 days! Next folder, all of my favourite correspondance from my grampa who passed away a week after Rylie was born. PAUSE. This folder took a long time to go through,I was about to put it in the box when I pulled out one last letter to read;

Dear Chelsea It is with the greatest of sorrow and contrite hearts that Grandma & I have learned of the fatal accident of your dearly beloved husband CJ on the I15 in Utah, U.S.A. of last March. All the more so because we know that he was not a hanger on, jerk, meat head or dip stick and so the sorrow must be that much more intense. However let us take solace in the fact that this great Mexican American Caruso passed away with being associated with one of the greatest granddaughters I have ever met and possibly will ever be associated with in my life time. I am so sorry that it took us so long to respond to your great loss, however Grandma & I feel that the Christmas season would be the best time to express our deep sorrow. As what has happened is private but was made public by the newspapers in Utah, you have my permission to make known to the Entwistles the final tragic consequences of driving too quickly on a congested highway, the fatal mistake you husband made in order to return to you as soon as possible. Again our condolenses and grief stricken hugs and kisses. Grandpa
Not only did this letter allow me to bust out laughing it closed the door on the first folder. Thank you grampa. It also reminded me of where I get my unusual sense of humor from, because CJ was never killed, he is alive and well, my grampa just felt like being funny! Now enters the third folder, for my own good I was hoping for some old phone bills but that would be too easy, instead it was all the lovely letters Lee had written me over the years. So with my inherited sense of humor in mind, I put them in a nice manila envelope and set them by the door. When his mum dropped the kids off later that day, I handed them to her and said " as I was packing I came across some of Lee's things, if you wouldn't mind giving them to him, I would really appreciate it!" It felt good. With all this emotional turmoil taking place in the span of only 3 hours I decided that I would open only one more folder and... Hurray!!! it contained only one thing, my favourite quote;

"I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." Louisa May Alcott

I read this quote more than I brush my teeth and for the first time, I saw how it was connected to my name Chelsea. Chelsea means port of ships and landing place, now my favourite quote has become my most favouritest quote. It also made me wonder the meanings of my childrens names. So my personal project over the next few days will be to learn of my kids names! I leave you with the eloquent words of Rascal Flats;

"And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window"