I watched “Letters To Juliet” last night. I know, I’m a few years behind in my movie watching. It made me think about all the letters I had written over the years to friends and family, but mainly, to my Mom. My Mom and I corresponded for 27 years! I have kept every one of her letters. Even more extraordinary, is that my Mom also wrote to Becky every week following the accident. She wrote on cards, no two the same. I would read them to Becky until she was finally able to read them herself. I think we must have received about 48 cards a year for 16 years. Just under 800 cards!
I spent several hours today sorting through them. As I laid them out on the floor, I began to realize the enormity of my Mom’s devotion. They covered the floor. A carpet of letters.
Animals,
Teddy Bears,
Fine Art,
and people.
I think this was a true labour of love. It wasn’t as if she had lots to write about. Sometimes Mom had nothing to write about, and would instead make up a story about the picture on the card, but she would always write. I think about the terrible weather conditions she must have walked in each week to make sure the card went out on time. Sometimes she was sick or there was a crisis. She even wrote while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
If you ever wanted to see what love looks like; this is it; this is what love looks like…
Life with Becky 
Letters, written on paper, still somehow have much more meaning than an email, no matter how lovingly the latter is crafted. So, although as much as 99% of my correspondence is electronic, I’ll still get out the pen and paper if there’s something really important to say. That usually means that it’s a ‘thank you’.
I think that’s why I kept all the letters. They are special.
What a treasure you have with all those letters!
Oh, how lovely! My mum is writing a postcard to both of the kids every month before their ‘birthdate’. I really love this, and I’m keeping all of the cards for them. They can’t read, but they will someday and know how much they are loved. Thanks for sharing this, it is a special thing, really.
Thanks for sharing your story too. I’m sure your children will appreciate ‘Grandmas’ letters of love once they can read. I think it’s great that you’re keeping the postcards as keepsakes.
Amazing story!
I’m so glad you thought so.
Thanks for visiting.
Your story is inspiring. 🙂
Thank you, Russell. I think Becky is the inspiration. She always wakes up with a smile on her face, ready to face the world. Amazing.
My mom lives in Toronto, and I’m in Alberta. We talk on the phone all the time. My son, now four, knows their phone number and will call them early in the morning when he wakes up. Even if he wakes her up, she’ll talk to him, say that she’s happy he called, listen to him chatter. Love is in those countless gestures. Your mother sounds like a treasure, too!
That’s so sweet. It’s so important to stay connected with family when you are separated by hundreds, or thousands, of miles. Thanks for sharing your story. I love it!