Thursday paradigm shift! What strange thursdayian things are happening that never grace Friday? Grandma arrived yesterday with Trooper (the squirrel) and McKelvey. McKelvey has been very sweet to me, letting me pet him and purring, and is much nicer as an old man than he was when we’d go to Grandma’s house. Mabel has passed away; I don’t remember if I’ve told you, I probably have, but that is important in case I forgot. Achilles is very nice with Grandma since the Greek vacation last year, in a way he never is with most people.
Packing is practically finished, and I can’t sleep for anxiety. I will probably write next week; if I don’t, it’s because I’m busy or without Wi-Fi, so don’t worry. Mom will probably post pictures to Flickr anyway, so you might see what’s going on there. There’s a link to the Flickr on this website somewhere, I’m sure. You remember where it is. You can see all the English tourism we get up to, the museums and whatnot. I am bringing a locket with your portrait in it, which I’m sure I’ve showed you before, with a garnet on the front.
Mom and Aaron went to the weird bike race (not really a race) on Friday with their Barbie and Ken bikes. I followed them on my conspicuously ordinary one. It was still rather fun; a few people had bubble machines on their bikes which was delightful.
I’m very worried. I have never been away this long, especially so far from you. To put it a silly way, imagine all the fish that will be between us, in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s far too many. The first time I went to Europe, I wore the necklace I stole from you, the one you found on the ground outside our white house. I keep it on my wall now, hanging from a thumbtack, and I won’t move it ever again, because I would not lose it. I have a locket now for your memory. I’m sorry I stole it. I won’t have anything of yours, but I will feel your ghost beside me. I often do. I’ve seen you and Mom in public.
I’m rambling again. I feel like I’m leaving you again, which I think I am. Know that I would go home and live with you forever if I could. Know that I’ll be thinking of you all the while.
Time degrades my memory. They don’t allow candles at the college. How will I celebrate Hanukkah before I fly back? I will feel even more far away then. Celebrating Hanukkah is like bringing flowers to you and Mom’s grave to me. It it’s not there, it will be like you were never there at all.
Let’s end more cheerfully. I watched a movie called The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari awhile back, and I’ve been thinking of it ever since. I loved it, and I think it is one of my favorites. Tell me about something you’ve been enamored with of late. Or just think about it. I hope you’re doing something nice. I hope you’ll be taking some fun class in school. I hope Mom lets you eat junk food sometimes. I hope you buy it regardless. I hope you have friends you adore. I love you.
With love,
Alice