Desert Dweller

Mom loved to give presents—
thoughtful, meaningful gifts—
that was her best talent.

Yesterday my brother Eric and I
were moving furniture
to make room for Dad’s hospital bed.

Under the bed, that Mom and Dad
had slept in together
for sixty-seven years.
We discovered a treasure chest.

Covered in dust,
it didn’t seem like much at first—
just one of those long, flat,
under-bed containers—
the ones usually used to store
seldom-worn clothes,
bulky blankets and comforters.

But inside was something priceless—
four three-ring binders,
one for each kid.

Scrapbooks put together with love—
a gift of family history.

Each binder loaded
with pictures of weddings and funerals,
graduations, birthdays with candles and cake,
recipes, diplomas, birth certificates,
handwritten letters,
and stories of lifetimes.

Although she passed away years ago,
Mom is still giving.

© 2026 Bruno Talerico
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