NASA Cupsclos·et  [kloz-it]

noun

1. a small room, enclosed recess, or cabinet for storing clothing, food, utensils, etc…


My version would read slightly different…

clos·et  [kloz-it]

noun

1. a small room, enclosed recess, or holding area for presents, candy, and extra packages of miscellaneous items purchased on sale, along with assorted items that might not find their way out for a very long time…

The small storage area off the side of my bedroom, commonly referred to as the closet, serves as my personal “treasure chest” for various celebratory events throughout the year. My children have always known where I squirreled away gifts and candies for Christmas as well as other holidays, and they were steadfast in resisting the temptation to uncover my cache of gifts hidden amongst the bags, allowing my collection of goodies to remain undisturbed over the years. But with the recent appearance of spring weather, a renewed desire stirred within me to have fewer piles of bags and boxes scattered about.

Out of sight, out of mind, accurately describes much of my interaction with the world, and occasionally it works to my advantage… other times not so much.  When I am tempted to devour a sweet treat much too quickly, I simply hide the confection in my closet where far from view, my desire to consume more than I should abates–I forget about it! On the other hand, sometimes I fail to recall the items I secreted away and candy gets old… really old… like, years old… when much to my surprise I unexpectedly locate it while searching for something unrelated! But unlike sweet treats, ceramic mugs have an extremely long shelf life and do not age quickly at all!

A long long time ago, when NASA was still launching things as part of their space program, my husband and I joined my brother and his wife on a trip to Florida and visited the Kennedy Space Center where I purchased a number of coffee cups with unique “space” sayings blazoned on two sides. I had every intention of giving them as gifts for my children the following Christmas, but for some unknown reason it simply didn’t happen. Flash forward ten years…

I was up to my elbows in the task of reorganizing my closet when I happened upon the “out of sight, out of mind” coffee cups that had been lying quietly hidden in a dark corner for the past decade. I pulled open the top of the white plastic “NASA” bag, and as I peeked inside I humorously recalled my well-intentioned plans of long ago. I reached in and grabbed hold of the carefully wrapped objects one-by-one and began to peel back layers of brown paper thus revealing the shiny unused mugs. Amused at my vintage treasure, I lined them up in a row and initially contemplated donating them to Goodwill but reconsidered as I thought to myself, “Hmmm maybe the kids might be interested, I think I’ll check with them first.”

Utilizing the effectiveness of text messaging when communicating with busy family members I queried Michael, “Would you like one of these?” Referencing the photo that accompanied my message, he quickly replied, “Sure! #1” which was immediately followed by “Where r u?” In that moment, I comprehended his confusion as to where was I and why had I sent him a picture of NASA cups lined up in a row?  “At home–it’s a long story,” was my cryptic explanation. Not long after, in the middle of his work day, my phone rang. It was Michael… “So, what’s this long story? It’s not like you went to Kennedy Space Center for a day trip!” Pausing for a moment I confessed, “Well, I got them for Christmas presents when your dad and I went there ten years ago… ” A hearty chuckle followed, “Mom, you waited so long NASA is no longer in the space program!” Together Michael and I laughed til tears rolled down my face–my tardy Christmas present had fallen victim to the infamous closet, and when the laughter began to subside he suggested I call his wife, Fernanda, to ask if she would like one. Her quick reply echoed a familiar sentiment, “Where did these come from? LOL” And I began to recount the story again.

One by one my children began to respond to my question, “Would you like one of these?” Elizabeth queried in a like manner, “A NASA cup? From where?” After explaining they came from my closet she quipped, “LOL You forgot about them didn’t you?” She knows me well…

My oldest son, Tommy, a man of carefully chosen words simply said, “Sure but why?” He didn’t ask where they came from but was puzzled all the same. The confused responses from my children continued to roll in as my phone politely chimed throughout the day, and with each new message I chuckled with amusement.

I enjoyed giving the long lost mugs as a “forgotten present” more than if I had remembered ten years ago, and I am confident my children will remember the NASA cups fondly as they recall their mom who “occasionally” forgets what she safely stores in the closet…