What's left behind

This is a picture of the box that I keep my incense in for meditation. It was given to me by my grandma before her death and it was one of a few things that she gave to me. It was such an uncomfortable moment when I visited her and she had all of these things on her table. I told her at first that I didn't want to take them, it made me feel uncomfortable thinking about her death. However, she explained to me that it was a joy and a comfort to her to know where her prized possessions were going and to whom. For me it is a wonderful "heart connection" to her every time I meditate. You see I also really treasured the box because of the bird on it. My grandma and I used to love to watch the birds outside the large windows of their mountain house.

I think she had the right idea about giving things away when she did, it has kept a wonderful "physical" connection between us. I've learned how important it is to keep onself open to the wishes of the dying!