Minerva

When my great-grandmother's estate was being settled, there was only one thing that Nana wanted: Minerva.  Minerva is an old marble bust of a cherub's face, which a collector believes was part of a building in NYC many years ago. Nana loved the innocent, playful face, and Minerva sat beside our fireplaces when we moved around the country.
  After Nana moved to Southgate, Minerva was given a special place outside her apartment door, on a small table.  Every month, we decorated her, and the other residents looked forward to seeing her monthly "outfits".  As Nana learned her new environment, she often told people that she lived with Minerva, and they could  find her home by looking for this landmark.
  In the last two months, Nana has become very concerned that someone is going to steal Minerva.
  "Will you take Minerva when I can't live here anymore?" has changed to, "Take Minerva to your home. Someone will steal her if she stays here."  I have tried to ignore her pleas, saying, "Mom, Minerva is safe. No one will take her.  And I will take her when and if you move."
  Yesterday, Minerva was gone from her perch.  "She was stolen last nite! Someone took her!"  I found her inside her apartment, covered by a sheet.  Minerva weighs 40 pounds.... who brought her into the apartment?  I asked the staff, but no one moved her... I am pretty sure that Nana moved her by herself.  This is pretty scary... Luckily she did not hurt herself.  "You better take her home.  Someone is now moving her, and next time they might steal her.  She needs to stay with you.  She needs to stay in the family." 
  I couldn't do it.  I couldn't take Minerva out of the apartment.  I moved her to a table in Nana's livingroom, and Nana seemed very satisfied. As I was leaving, I spoke to the receptionist about my dilemna.
   "I think of Minerva as an extension of my Mom.  She adores that statue.  It has always reminded her of her childhood. I hate to take it away from her, even if she is asking me to do so."
   "It seems you are having a harder time with this than your Mom is..."
  She is right.  That cherubic smile is an extension of my mother's own positive spirit. I have this irrational fear that if I remove Minerva, I will remove some of Nana's beautiful spirit.  But if the statue is causing her distress, or if she hurts herself moving that statue, I am not doing Nana any favors.
   I have decided that if Minerva is moved again, or if she asks me to take her again, I will.  I will place her in my livingroom during the winter, and take her to our family's summer cottage in the summer. That cherubic face can be shared with all her grandchildren as they spend time at the beach-- perhaps it will feel as if Nana is close to them as they enjoy a place that holds so many happy memories within its walls.