9/23/22 - Friday Forget-Me-Nots by Jim Silcott

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Dear Our Lady of Peace Family,

“The Queen is dead. Long live the King.”

You had to have been hiding under a rock with no internet, smart phone, or television not to know that Queen Elizabeth II passed away after 70 years on the throne. Finally, Prince Charles becomes King Charles III.

The way I understand the British monarchy is that everyone advances. Prince William becomes the heir apparent and now holds his father’s title, Prince of Wales. His three kids now have a last name of “Wales.” I can’t keep it all straight other than after Charles is William and after William is George!

I read somewhere that King Charles, upon his mother’s passing, officially becomes one of the richest men in the world. He inherits a bunch of castles, as well as vacation homes much grander than the one I rented in the summer at the beach. He also has access to the Crown Jewels that lie in a glass case far beneath the Tower of London. Do you suppose he might get them out occasionally and hold them in his hands proclaiming, “it’s about time!”

While we in America broke up with the King of England 246 years ago, there is still a fascination with all things royal, including all the drama with William, his brother, Harry and their wives, Kate and Meghan. Who can wear what costumes and what invitations go to whom. So much to worry about. Glad I’m not a royal!

I also read that Queen Elizabeth made a deal with England a number of years ago that her heirs would not have to pay inheritance tax on all their new stuff. I am happy for them and wish them the best!

For myself, my inheritance from my dad, who survived my mother by five years was not financial. When I was growing up, he promised me a white wooden bench with carved metal legs that had been his grandfather’s. Alas, it was stolen one night out of his front yard. However, I am blessed with hundreds of books that were his as well as those of his father and grandfather. Opening them and reading them is such a wonderful connection with these important role models in my life. Occasionally I will find a memento in a book from one of them, or simply a signature or note. It is more important than any crown jewel.

I have two things from my mother’s parents, Howard and Margaret Kreis. Neither of them is worth anything at all. The first, was given to me when I was a kid. It’s one of those heads made out of coconut that they got for me when they went to Florida one year. Its caricature is most decidedly politically incorrect, but I am not about to let go of it. It sits on the bottom shelf of one of my many bookshelves and has been played with by both my children and grandchildren over the years. It is simply called, “Mr. Coconut Man.” Depending on their age at the time it has either frightened them with his visage or delighted them with his winsome look. It’s missing a seashell ear but otherwise is holding up better than its owner.



When my maternal grandfather, who had survived his wife, passed away, he still lived in the Baltimore row house that they had occupied for the whole of their lives. After the funeral we all got to pick out a memento. I took a tiny brass elephant that sat on the secretary desk in their living room. It too, sits on one of my bookshelves.

My post precious inheritance were both First Communion gifts. A crucifix given to me by my Dad’s mother, Virginia Silcott, has hung over my bed since that special day in 1964. I also have a small wooden Sacred Heart of Jesus statue was a present from my mom’s older sister, my Aunt Mary Jean. Brady, my oldest grandchild saw it one day and decided to take it back with him to Australia where he lived at the time. For a time, he slept with it in his crib. When the base was broken off, it was sent back to me for repair. It also sits on one of my shelves waiting for another grandchild to claim it.

My many mementos from my family, my grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren sit in front of almost every row of books. One day, after I am gone, I hope that my family will take what they remember from my house and pass it on down the line to their children and grandchildren. For now, I find comfort in these books and baubles. Each one, worthless in terms of cash value, hold a special memory for me of the person with whom it is connected. They aren’t the crown jewels but then again, I don’t have to bury them under the Tower of London!

Jim Silcott