remembrance of things past

i spent much of the day polishing silver. it was one of the most satisfying experiences i've had in a long time. granted, it is/was my mother's silver. bowls, cigarette boxes, wine holders, candlesticks, my baby cup. i would have pulled out the flatware too, but couldn't reach the box in the closet. and with every stroke and bit of polish a little bit of my mother came out. remembrances of where, with care, she placed them in the family home. remembrances of how they were used on special occasions. dinner parties, holidays, weddings, baptisms. as they began to shine so did the remembrance of her.