My best friend in this world moved to Florida several years ago and now she has beautiful daughter who just turned two this past December. My friend and I stay connected via email, phone calls, facebook and through a few in person visits throughout the year....and it is relatively easy to do because she knows me. Every part of me. So even if we don't talk due to busy lives for a few weeks, as soon as I hear her voice I feel instantly connected to her...we just pick up where we left off. I realized, in the months following her daughter's birth, that I wanted her daughter to really know me, too.
So on that little girl's first birthday I gave my friend the first letter to Hazel, positioned on the first page of a scrapbook...the beginning of a collection for her. And I would send her a letter each year for her birthday...a letter that contained: bits and pieces of my journey that year, my wishes for her, stories about her mother and I, my thoughts. And through this collection of letters she would come to know me.
I can imagine now, her mother's voice as she reads what I have written to her daughter...and that makes me smile. I can imagine, in the near future, a little girl sounding out letters and vowels as she reads my words herself in a voice that sounds just like her mother's...and that makes my heart swell up. And perhaps one day, I can imagine a letter in return...addressed to an older woman and filled with the writing, hopes and dreams of a young woman....and that will fill my soul with joy. And she won't just know me...we will know each other.
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15 comments:
Happy New Year Andrea!
What a sweet idea! She's very lucky to have you in her life.
That's a lovely idea, Andrea. And here I thought you were writing letters to our mayor. ;)
Happy New Year, nieghbour!
What a lucky little girl Hazel is. And her Mom is pretty lucky to have such a good friend too. Happy New Year Andrea!!
What a wonderful idea!!! That little girl is going to cherish these letters.
That is a beautiful idea, I can imagine the scrapbook years from now....
Jen
I love your pictures.
Lucky you and lucky Hazle.
Great idea and one that I would love to do sometime.
Happy New Year to you and your's.
That is a real nice idea. My best friend from school moved to Colorado and we have maintained our friendship over the years through letters, email, and a few visits. I have 2 daughters and she has 3 daughters. I wish we all could know each other.
That's such a nice idea. Your photos are beautiful, too. It's so nice that you make the time to keep up with old friends.
What a truly beautiful gift.
I have frequently visited in hopes of another posting and you have not let me down. What a beautiful gift you are giving!!
Happy New Year Andrea!! What a great idea..I am sure that Hazel will treasure your gift someday. Sending warm hugs for Sophie!! :)
Very moving...and excellently illustrated through your photography. Beautiful post.
That was a very emotional post. It's wonderful to have friendship like that isn't it, and to look forward to the days and years when you will be there for a younger woman.
CJ xx
this is such a cool idea! i bet she will grow up with a really great idea of who you are, and will always treasure those letters. one of my mom's best friends made a quilt for me when i was born and i still adore that thing.
Oh man.....puddled up over the letters and the photos which were AWESOME. What a great idea. So you.
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