My friend, Beth Ann from It’s Just Life, was blogging about letter writing this morning. She and her husband had written letters as a dating couple and she mentioned how she treasures those letters to this day. She asked the question, “Do you have letters you would never part with?” That got me to thinking that I have some letters I wouldn’t part with for love nor money.
When I first moved to Montana it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. One day I might blog about that, but for now, know when I moved here I didn’t do it in a glamorous or correct way. My family is really not a group of letter writers. I would get to talk them via a calling card at the pay phone at the Convention and Visitors Center. I was lonely. Mr. Bernie was not Mr. Bernie at that time, he was just my friend. He had his own life so he couldn’t fill a void of needing/wanting contact. I was telling my Mom how lonely I was and she suggested that I write to my Great Auntie Loretta.
I had heard of my Auntie Loretta. I couldn’t say I really knew her. I knew she was a teacher and quite a bit older. She was living with her sister, Auntie Lou. That was all I had to go on. Mom gave me Auntie’s address and I sent her a letter. I couldn’t tell you what I wrote in that letter. I’m sure something about recently moving to Montana and Mom suggesting that I write to her. I sent the letter off, hoping but not expecting a response.
About a week later, I was checking my mail box, which usually was empty. There was a letter in there. I didn’t recognize the handwriting, but it was a letter for me!!! My heart soared. One would have thought I won the lottery. I flew up to my studio apartment to savor this piece of communication that was all mine. Auntie told me how much she appreciated my letter and we were off and running. Her letter talked about her life with Auntie Lou and what types of things they were doing to keep busy. She mentioned that she had a cousin who used to be an attorney in Billings. Her letter made me laugh. To be honest, I cried a little at getting a letter. She took the time to send me a letter pages long. That meant more to me than all the money in the world.
Writing letters back and forth were a weekly event for us. She would read my letters to Auntie Lou and they would laugh over them. She would send me advice, tidbits about my Mom’s parents. She always knew just the right thing to send. I once mentioned that I wanted to learn to cook, she sent me a “Co-eds Cookbook” from the 60′s. I was thrilled that she took the time to send that. I would ask her questions and she would ask me questions. Those letters were what kept me going for quite a few months. They were the little bit of joy to break up my life.
On my first trip back to visit Minnesota, I wanted to go “meet” my pen-pal and her sister. It was a grand meeting. No awkward pauses. Auntie Loretta, Auntie Lou and I all talked as if we just saw each other the week before. They told me how much they looked forward to my letters. I told them how the letters from them really meant the world to me. It was on that visit that I learned about Peonies.
We wrote back and forth for several years, until my Auntie Loretta passed away. There are no more letters to send. I have every letter my Auntie sent me and I wouldn’t part with them for all the money in the world. They are tucked away safely in a wooden box. Those letters helped to keep me sane in a very insane time for me. They were full of love, laughter and caring. Money can’t buy that.
Oh,what a great post. I have never written letters but I do love cards. I have a box saved of special cards and I take a lot of time to pick my cards out for people and mail them on all special occasions. I love to get a birthday,valentine,Easter and even a ‘thinking of you’ or ‘love’ card. My husband teases me about keeping Hallmark in business. Oh, and I enjoy Christmas newsletters, once again, I have never written one but I love getting them and reading about my friends and their lives.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this post today, very touching.
Lucy recently posted..Wasting into Nothingness
Thank you, Lucy. I’m big about cards as well. My husband used to tease me about keeping Hallmark in business. Then I started to make my own. Its almost like the cobbler’s kids don’t have shoes. I make them but don’t send them out as often as I should.
So true! And such a sweet tale.
My great aunt Jean and I corresponded like that for many years….I miss getting her love-filled letters and cards every month.
Beth W recently posted..We Want to Know Wednesday
They leave a void when they don’t come anymore, don’t they? I’m glad you had the same kind of Auntie.
Again with a post that made me teary eyed. I would have enjoyed meeting her I think, she sounds a bit like you, down to earth, tough as nails and sweet as pie.
I have a letter my hubby wrote to me before we met, he saw me and we talked briefly while I was visiting my mom in the hospital. When I went back to visit her the nurse had a letter from him for me saying he would like to ask me out and he left his number, after being married 25 years now I am still glad I called him and I still have the letter.
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She was a doll. The first thing Mr. Bernie noticed about her was her walk, she would glide across a floor. Mom and Auntie Jack tell me that their cousin Mary, walks the same way. Mary is the one I’m going on the cruise with.
Mr. Michele wrote you a note? That is so cool. Unexpected and cool. I’m glad you called him as well.
Oh Bernie! This was so sweet. Thank you for sharing. Makes me want to hand-write a letter or two
ArtsyNina recently posted..Happy Valentines Day
I always thought that if I was ever pregnant, I would want to write a letter to my unborn child. I think it would be a great thing for your baby’s scrapbook.
Thank you.
This was such a touching post, Bernie. In this day of e-mails and Facebook and cell phones, a hand-written letter is a rare treasure indeed. Two of my aunts and my mom still hand-pen letters and I so appreciate them. Like you, I have a stash of letters with which I will never part: letters from my grandma, who died years ago, and letters from my husband, before he was my husband.
Minnesota Prairie Roots recently posted..Ice art in rural Minnesota
Oh, you still get letters. How wonderful. And ones from your Grandma, that is so special. I think the letters from your husband before he was your husband would be priceless as well.
A very beautiful and heart-warming memory. One of the first birthdays that my husband and I spent together he asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I kept telling him that I wanted an love letter. He kept making all kinds of excuses – even going as far as saying he didn’t know how to write (my husband is also a BIG liar on many things). I got one of the best birthday presents that year – a love letter. It makes me smile every time I read it.
Awwww, that makes me smile. I’m sure that is something you will treasure all of your life. Good for him!!
Hope the memories that my post jogged in your mind today stay with you and keep you warm and happy for a long time!!! I know what a special relationship you had with your sweet Auntie and it was all because of those wonderful letters. Good for you for taking the first step in writing that letter. You did good, girl!!! Great post today! I loved it.
Beth Ann Chiles recently posted..The Written Word
I must admit, I cried a bit when I wrote the post. At least once I week I tell Mr. Bernie, “Oh, Auntie Loretta would love this” When we got married it was hard as she would have loved the whole Halloween theme. She was feisty and fun. Thank you for writing your blog post to spark mine. I had no clue what I was going to write about today until I read your blog.