I hate clutter. I throw things out without blinking.
Except for one note that’s hung in my kitchen for two years.
I see it every day.
My cousin Rena gave it to me.
Rena Baron (left) and me. March 2024
When our children were little, our families got together almost every Tuesday night for dinner. We took turns hosting. When it was my turn, dinner was… dinner.
When it was Rena’s turn, there was always a theme. Rena had a twinkle in her eye. You couldn’t spend an evening with her without laughing.
Rena was diagnosed with cancer.
A few months before she passed away, Rena gave family and friends a small gift. Inside was a box of LIFE cereal.
The tag that came with Rena’s gift
Rena never built a career.
She built seven lives.
Today would’ve been Rena’s 44th birthday.
I still haven’t taken down the note.
I don’t think I ever will.
