Jackassalope

Accidental Taxidermy

I received a letter from my mom shortly after moving back to Portland, Ore. from New York City. The letter was typical of her, meaning it wasn’t really a letter, but more of a note.

“Thinking of you. Hope all is well. Love Mom,” was scribbled at the bottom of piece of notebook paper.

Enclosed in the envelope was a claw taken from a grizzly bear. It wasn’t purchased from a souvenir shop dangling from a sterling silver chain. It wasn’t glued to a plaque with a witty saying inscribed below. It was an actual claw removed from the paw of an actual grizzly bear…and I thought nothing of it.