Pen Pals

Cards from two dear Canadian friends.

When he was in third grade, Jeff had a pen pal named David who was a soldier in Operation Desert Storm. Unlike my students today, Jeff didn't text or email David, he wrote to him by putting ink to paper. Though we don't know where David is or what he is doing today, I'm certain that he remembers the letters from the little eight-year-old boy in Connecticut who painstakingly wrote out his daily activities.

Spring treats from a woman who
indulged my love of lotions and lip balm!

Today, pen pals are almost entirely a thing of the past. It's rare to receive a handwritten card in the midst of piles of coupons, bills, and notices. Of course, I write the appropriate thank you notes and Christmas cards, but, with the singular exception of my mum--who lovingly and regularly sends me little missives--I don't really have any pen pals anymore. Or I didn't--not until our little Blueberry brought a few into my life.

A summer care package from a woman
who has prayed Psalm 37:4 for me daily.

The pen pals I have today are both traditional and contemporary--some send cards and packages while others check in daily on message boards and via email. They're spread all over the continent--from North Carolina to Canada and beyond--and I haven't met a single one of them. Rather, we are united by a shared bond that blessedly few other women in my life understand, and our frustration and heartache and laughter and tears bind us together despite space and time. They are some of the strongest women I know, women who I admire and strive to emulate. And as they follow my journey, I follow theirs.

As a result, today's post is--very simply--dedicated to all of you who read this blog without seeing me every day. Those of you who check in on us, who follow our story, who grieve and cheer with us, who find ways to provide intangible support and love. I'm honored to call you my pen pals.




Want to get to know some of the amazing women I admire? Here are some links to their blogs:

http://the-canadian-housewife.blogspot.com/ "Learning how to live, laugh and love after loss" (with some seriously adorable, affordable, and easy home projects and kitchen experiments care of Jenn and her husband, Dan)
http://growbabysmithgrow.blogspot.com/ "Our story of hope and faith through three miscarriages, an ectopic pregnancy, IUI, and now IVF!" (now featuring some awesome news as we cheer on the little rockstar Laura is growing!)
http://booksanddancing.blogspot.com/ "Dancing my way through life, loss, and books" (Need a book to read? Stasy has many recommendations, beautifully interwoven with her own story.)
http://oneemerald.blogspot.com/ Celebrating Megan and Daniel's faith that has led them through loss and into new life