The man from the suitcase was buried three times. First in 1995 at Woodlawn Cemetery, surrounded by his loving wife, Juanita, his extended family, and his remaining friends and colleagues. It’s a beautiful spot; I’ve shed my own tears there.
I don’t know who presided over his next burial, who selected the much smaller coffin he occupied for a year after Juanita was put to rest by his side, but I presided over his first exhumation.
On a Sunday in 2005, dressed in unfamiliar church clothes, I was busy avoiding my in-laws in the musty stalls of a Franklin antique mall. I’d perfected this technique in the department stores of my childhood, learning to simultaneously keep track of my captors while ear-marking trinkets they might be persuaded to buy once I surrendered the chase. 18 years later, I was still dressed according to someone else’s rules, but at least was in control of the pocket book.
That day, I was in the market for an old suitcase – there was an empty space under a side table in our new house that was begging for some vintage flair. My husband had a penchant for old-fashioned things, and at the time, I had a penchant for him. I tugged a candidate out from a stack of cases – a brown valise that looked to be about the right size.
When I popped the brass clasps, I discovered a trove of letters, photos, and souvenirs.
I didn’t know at the time, but my relationship with the man who owned these artifacts would outlast my marriage, four houses, and three jobs, although it was 10 years before I finally sat down and found out his name.
Once I had his name, I was hooked. I spent my evenings and weekends with the man and his family. I learned their faces by developing over 300 negatives. I learned their birthdays by digging through every census. I walked the hallways of John and Juanita’s first house and placed flowers on their grave.
I spent 8 months lost in their intriguing story until an exciting (real) job opportunity came along. A dream job, which ended up not only ruling my 9 to 5 but demanded any extra time and energy I had lying around. As the weeks went on, my ‘case-files’ were pushed further and further down the dining room table to make room for more pressing work. Eventually, a little ashamed, I scooped up the remains and banished them to the spare room, the place in my house where things go to be forgotten.
That was a little over a year ago.
I’m typing these words 1777 miles away from Nashville – my family relocated to the desert in June. Our relocation is temporary, so we only brought what we felt was critical: records, books, and dogs. For the first time in 12 years, my man from the suitcase didn’t make the cut. When the dust had finally settled on our new Ikea furniture, I realized how much I missed his steady, unassuming company. So when we took a quick trip back to Nashville to visit dearly-missed friends, I snuck one back with me in my carry on.
I don’t know if John Paul Jones ever visited Las Vegas when he was alive, but he’s here now. It’s time to crack open the suitcase again and see what we find.
Next up – Sifting Through the Ashes – Re-building the Man from the Suitcase’s Military Records.
Becci, so happy to see your new post “pop up” in my inbox this evening. I’ve often thought about the man in the suitcase and was missing him also. I hope I can look forward to more info on him. I still say when you’re done – this would make a great read inside a cover. Welcome Back!
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Oh, it’s so nice to be back! It took me three days to complete this post – so I am obviously a bit brain-rusty, but it’s just like riding a bicycle….right?
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Awesome to see that you’re organized enough to re-extend your wings to writing again – see you in a couple of weeks. Dad.
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Welcome back! I was so pleased to see this in my email tonight. I was wondering what happened to him (and you). I am looking forward with anticipation for more discoveries.
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Thanks, Lois! It’s been too long – but I’m happy to be back amongst friends : )
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It was truly like a wonderful Christmas present to see your blog again and the email with your name! I had also wondered many times what had happened, but yes…LIFE does seem to keep us busy on other things and we don’t have time to pursue the things we really want to go after. Please always keep a post going, even if once a year! Love your life an your journey and love Mr Jones!
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Thanks so much! It’s nice to know that folks out there missed him as much as I did.
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