Carol Wayne is the only woman in her generation of her family.

She sent Maria a gorgeous box of vintage linens and sewing and fiber works, perhaps the only creative work women in rural Texas were expected to do. This huge box arrived at our post office yesterday. I had trouble carrying it to the car; it was so big.

We didn’t know it was coming, but we have found that women are reluctant to part with the linens and napkins of their mothers and grandfathers.

They want it to end up in good hands, the hands of someone who cares enough about that amazing handiwork to ensure it lives on and is seen.

They can’t bear to see it thrown away and forgotten. And they trust Maria to live it and do right by it.

Some of it goes to Maria and almost all to the students in Sue Silverstein’s excellent art class at Bishop Gibbons High School. Sue will flip over this.

It’s a great gift for Maria, whose art is based on beautiful and discarded things.

“As my husband and I prepare to move out of our home of 32 years, we have found boxes of “stuff,” she wrote, “passed down to me – I am the only girl in my generation. I know you can find a home it – either you, the art students, the Mansion, or any other creative types. Thank you for taking it on and passing it forward.

‘Sincerely, Carol Wayne.

She also sent $40 with a P.S. “Have Lunch On Me!”

Maria will go over the box, and whatever she can’t use will go to Bishop Gibbons this coming Friday when we visit the school.

This touched my heart, the wish of all that beautiful handiwork and the wish of the last female survivor in her family to ensure her forbear’s work is not forgotten( the work inside the box is gorgeous.)

We went to Subway today and spent the $2o on two veggie wraps.

Thanks, Carol; you remind me that people are good and are eager to do good. Thanks for trusting us with this precious material; we will do well with it. You also remind me that people are good, given the chance.

And we had a nice and healthy lunch on you.

Carol is from a small town in Texas.