The Evidence Speaks for Itself

    On Friday morning, the microwave turntable in the dish drainer and the coffee stains splotched all over the kitchen table told me that Mom’s heating of her instant coffee did not go too well.  There was also a plethora of other messages sitting on the table.

    On top of the empty nutty ice cream cones box sat an almost-empty 56 ounce bag of M & M’s.  Snuggled right up next to the box were three more almost-empty containers: a one-liter tonic water bottle, the cinnamon/ sugar shaker, and a Western Hazelnut bread bag with two lone crusts within.

    Mom’s messages are silent but effective.  From our larder, I pulled out another tonic water.  I added the other items to my grocery list.  But I knew better than to throw away the empty box, which she will save just in case we need it someday.