I followed Jettie’s instructions and opened her package yesterday. Inside there was another box, also marked in her unmistakable hand “Open December 1, not before and not after!” As if I would dare violate her orders.
And so, mystery solved: in addition to a crocheted hot pad-mop-up cloth (I have a lovely collection now) there was this charming foldout box Advent calendar. A little door for everyday from December 1 to December 24.
Front of Advent box, folded up
Open it up and there are 24 windows. Behind door #1 was a little gnome all rolled up and smooshed in, he expanded when released from his confines.
gnome #1, sitting on the hot pad
There was also a Christmas card like I’m sure others have received with a picture of young Jettie, the way we want to think of her: young, full of life and at ease in her world. She was at Kinkaku-ji, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The year was 1993, when we were all young, full of life and with no clue what lay ahead.
Beautiful Jettie at Kinkaka-ji ‘93
Of course Jettie never sent a card without including a little trinket. This time if was a handmade tree ornament.
It will have a place of honor on my down-sized tree this year, along with the other Jettie ornaments she’s sent over the years.
So bittersweet, all done while knowing she was about to shuffle off this mortal coil. I would be lying if I told you it didn’t make me cry. What a hard year it has been for the MOTI, and yet here we all are: celebrating Trumps victory, Thanksgiving and soon Christmas. We are a tough lot and will soldier through together.
Since it is December 2nd today I also opened the second door: another little gnome! I may have to get another tree to hang my complete Jettie collection. Such a nice remembrance.
May one and all have a happy Muttday.
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