In a blank TJ’s card with a picture of 5 eggs in a nest on the cover,
the note below was affixed to the inside.
13 February 2015 – Friday evening
Dear Reina,
You can not yet read these words yourself and, even were they read aloud to you in the next year or two, they would not make much sense. Still, I want you to know, years from now, how your first appearance here on Earth only a few hours ago has made so many people so happy. Indeed, many years from now, your grandchildren, nieces and nephews or their own great-grandchildren, might ask in astonishment, “Your photographs were posted on the internet in those ancient days when people still … ?”
As a 92-year old, I hope you will forgive brief reflection for possible context. When I was not too much older than Azalea now is, I can still remember when my father bought an Underwood typewriter and explained that it was only for business letters; that personal ones are to be written by hand or else they are impolite.
Fast-forward a quarter century ago (1988) when I befriended a lady named Elsi (an RN from Finland by way of Canada and a good soul) who bought a knitting machine from me when I upgraded to a newer model. We remained friends until she died just a few years ago. While her handwriting was terrible and she hated computers, all of her family and friends wished she would, at least, use a typewriter for the letters she would send on a regular basis.
My point in the above is that things change and perceptions of decorum tend to readjust to the rearranged order of the world brought about by those changes.
A few moments ago I pulled out a copy of my own birth certificate. The front has a pre-printed form bearing the Seal of the City of Detroit, beneath the heading of the Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics and, in Old English-style font, Certificate of Birth Registration. Beneath were the blank areas where officials scribed my name, date of birth and registration number.
What always brought a smile to my face was the back of the certificate.
Printed on it is:
Dear Baby,
The Department of Health welcomes you to the City of Detroit. We hope you will grow up to be a fine strong citizen. We shall do all we can to make this possible.
You have made a good beginning by having your birth registered at the Department of Health.
The next ten lines give all the reasons future reference to the original certificate on file will be useful (establishing age for entering school, working papers, jury and military service, voting and inheritance of property).
The sign-off, however, is my favorite part:
With best wishes for your future health, we remain
Sincerely your friend,
The Detroit Board of Health
Now all that remains is that minor matter of what “pearls of wisdom” you should impart on a card such as this, someday, when one of Azalea’s or your children become parents or grandparents.
Perhaps something along the order of:
We are such stuff as dreams are made on.
– Prospero, Act IV, Scene 1 – The Tempest
Above all else, remember always that you are loved by us all.
__________________
Some months later Diana wrote another note to Azalea to let her know that older sisters are not forgotten when the new arrival gets all the attention.