The gift came a week before Christmas, 1990. The giver was friend June Ammons. Fully aware Death's Angel was flying near she took time to select it for my wife.
When June died four days later at 62 the unopened present became especially meaningful because of an unusual choice. My wife decided not to open it.
"Wrapped it remains an unforgettable memory of June & a mystery," she said.
Thirty years later the gift still sleeps in the green box & red ribbon June tied around its waist. One day she may open it. But maybe not.
Imagine a friend spending one of her final hours buying you a gift. Opened, it may soon end up in the closet of the forgotten. Wrapped it could, in special cases, become unique, sacred & a holy expression of one of Love's sweeter mysteries.
-Erie Chapman
Note: Since I could find no picture of June here is her beloved husband, Reverend Edsel Ammons, who was Bishop of the Methodist District that oversaw Riverside Methodist Hospital & OhioHealth when I was President of both.
