So, lots has happened since I wrote last. I need to be better about updating this thing. My mom has slowly been returning things that people gave Heather so they can have something to remember her by. Years ago, back when I was in high school, I made Heather a monkey bank to save her money in. She loved monkeys at the time. I remember even in pottery class people tried to be nice about how it looked. But I had invested too much time into it, so I thought it was cute and gave it to Heather anyways. She was so sweet, and though I thought she was faking it, talked about how cute it was and how much she loved it. As the years went by, I saw the monkey with the eyes of outsiders and thought it was hideous. I told Heather several times that she could throw the thing away and my feelings wouldn't be hurt. She simply insisted that she loved it and would never throw it away. I knew that she could only love it because I made it. When my mom gave it back to me, I really didn't want it. I decided I would throw it away and put it in the trash can and
didn't give it a second thought. Last Sunday, I pulled into the car port with my parents and there was the little monkey sitting outside of the trash can to greet us. My mom told me that if I wanted to throw it away I should have put it in the trash. I told her that I did. (Also, the thing is ceramic, and though I was somewhat "gentle" when I put it in the garbage, it was unbroken.) We looked at my dad and asked him if he had taken it out and he said no. The only thing we could figure is that Tate (a man who has been working on my parents house) took it out and set it there. My dad called him and asked what he knew of the monkey. Tate didn't have a clue what my dad was talking about. Besides, who goes through other people's trash and takes things out like that? I have no doubt that Heather was just saying hello and wants me to know that she still loves me and is watching out for me. Needless to say, I brought my little crazy monkey home. Thanks for the reminder Heather. I love you and miss you more than you could possibly know---or maybe you do know.