Wadia and Dawn

The generations that have flowed between my little sister Dawn and her great aunt Wadia run through the family like a little stream.

And that is exactly what the name Wadia means....

Wadia came to our house whenever my grandfather came.

She drank cambric tea and was very quiet. Sometimes

she muttered words we kids could not understand.

She was old when we knew her, but when she was young

she helped take care of my father. When little Salem grew

up and left home to sail with the Navy, she gave him a 

mint leaf from her garden, a blessing of sweetness he 

carried with him his entire life.

We kids grew up with fresh mint in Dad's garden, picking

a few leaves just before dinner to have on our salad. Some

people like to clean with peppermint oil (I like to sprinkle a 

drop or two on a mattress every few months), when I go to

a hotel I sprinkle a drop or two on my pillow to rid the place

of bugs.

Some people like a peppermint tea,

some, like my dad, chew it like gum.

I haven't had a sprig of live mint in decade, but just

thinking of it, I can smell it. It's embedded

in my memory, like the stream of family flowing seamlessly

through the generations. Each one reaching me without

my even knowing it, giving off an aroma that lasts.

Submitted by C. W. Frick

-