Just completed a video chat with the college princess. She likes the 20 pounds of survival stuff we shipped to her last week. It just arrived — a mere six days after mailing. God bless the United States Post Office. 42 dollars worth of dry provisions (a/k/a junk) and 22 dollars of postage.
Indeed, the economics of the college care package leave something to be desired. Cost benefit analysis is tricky: it’s difficult to assign a precise value to the emotional balm of receiving provisions from home. The kids clearly like it. Not as effective to send cash and a shopping list. Remember camp? Still…
Lovely shot of some poison ivy. Just because. Every time I do something that doesn’t quite make sense, I’m gonna cut to the ivy. Just because.
By the way: princess seemed to be delighted with the package but… she would like us to know that our package was not the largest received in her dorm to date. Why no cereal? Last week, I had mentioned that a large package was on its way. I used the word, “large” because at the post office, I was embarrassed at the size and weight of my submission. And I nearly threw out my back carrying it up to the mailing counter.
Live and learn. What was in it? Breakfast bars. Boston Baked Beans, my favorite candy. Pez, also my favorite candy. Strawberry Quik, my husband’s favorite drink. Some dried soups in a cup. Twix bars. A love note.
I am ashamed to admit that I sent off a second, much tinier package this morning containing dried figs and gum. Dried figs and gum? What was I thinking? What can I say? I’m sorry — and, darn it! — I gotta be me. More poison ivy. See above.
FLASHBACK: I picture my mother who sent me college care packages jammed with overflow items from her kitchen cabinet. FLASHBACK #2: Auntie Miriam who gave strange gifts with absolutely no useful value: a china hook, matching wall-mount planters, a small jar filled with colored glass stones, dime-sized tulle sachets — items usually found on the sale table at high-end stores. Made you feel ungrateful and spoiled when you opened them, but also made you wonder what the hell to do with the thing. Stuff was too nice to throw out; too useless to use. Part of the glamorous clutter of the garbage drawer…
Guilty. I am guilty as charged. Must try to channel my daughter when I’m shopping for the sweet nothings that make up the care package. Younger daughter very good at this. Must make a mental note to listen better and to stop packing care packages I dreamed about and never received…
