This morning as I finished completing a paper business document to send via regular mail, I then folded the sheet of paper and inserted it into the envelope. It was at that moment I realized what I was doing was a procedure that you taught me.

You taught me the correct manner in which business documents are folded and inserted in its envelope. The form is to be folded into thirds, with an eye-ball approximation starting from the bottom of the form, then its top portion folded over. The top fold of the document would then be inserted into the envelope with its open side down, and adjacent to the backside of the envelope it would be inserted. The document would fit perfectly in the envelope awaiting its seal. The sealed envelope with its enclosed document would then lie flat and look professional.

I remember you teaching that to me as I had in the past haphazardly fold any document and would continue to fold until it fit in its now bulging envelope looking sloppy in presentation.

I remember that.

When I fold my laundry, which I don’t care to do, I fold the items in a manner you showed to me. Folded items would then appear neat looking in stacked formation. You taught me all of that, and I remember.

When I was to leave our Texas home before you were to join me, and then head for my temporary single-living status in Massachusetts, you made sure I had everything I needed. I felt confident because you had left no stone unturned. You would then complete your last semester of your Graduate Degree at A&M, all while managing the sale of our house including manage the crazy logistics of packing our belongings and coordination of the hired movers.

You made sure I knew what I should buy at the grocery store so that I can eat properly while so far away from you. And you showed me how to cook simple meals so that I felt comfortable in the task at hand. You taught me all of that, and I remember.

‘The right tool for the right job’ is something you would always say to me anytime I attempted to fix or adjust things around the house, to ensure I wouldn’t ‘manhandle’ as you would say, whatever it was I was attempting to do.

‘Either do it right or do it again’ is something you would always say in reference to a job or task that either I or we would be completing. I used that phrase in the classroom throughout all my years of teaching, asking the kids would sometimes attempt to cut corners in their work. “What does Mrs. Petris say?” They all knew the correct response and would say in unison ‘Either do it right or do it again.’ In a roundabout way, you taught them that. I think that phrase is one of those ‘nuggets’ they will always remember from their time with me.

Every time I change the sheets and make our bed I remember how you taught me to sprinkle baby powder in-between the sheets. This always made for a comfy and aromatic entrance into the bed and helped keep the linens smelling fresh. You taught me all of that, and I remember.

I go through my day doing all the things you taught me in the manner of how you did these things. I remember all of that. The simple things, the everyday tasks and jobs around the house for easy living. You taught me so much and I just want you to know that it is these simple things that keep you with me, and alive in my memory. As trivial as all of this may sound, it’s not trivial to me. The simple things you taught me are everything and they let me know you are always taking great care of me. Thank you for the simple things.