June 11, 2008


A Box Of Memories
Yesterday was my 50th birthday! Of all the gifts I received the one I loved the most didn't cost one penny! A big box arrived in the mail yesterday and it was from a friend that I have known since I was 1 year old! Our parents lived in the same apartment complex in Fla and that's how we got to know this dear family. After several years they moved to South Carolina and we moved to Virginia, but fortunately that didn't end our friendship. Most summers we would spend time at each other's homes, swimming, building forts and doing all those other wonderful things that kids do. Our families took many a vacation together and celebrated births as well as sharing grief over lost loved ones. Sharon was one of my bridesmaids (she flew all the way to Virginia even though she was terrified of flying, just to be in my wedding) and I was in her wedding, as well. I think the reason that we stayed so close all those years is because we faithfully wrote letters to each other. Every couple of weeks I would send her one and then I'd get one in return.We first started writing in 1969, which is just shy of 40 years. Stamps were six cents, I think! I wanted to share with you a little portion of the letter she sent me that accompanied the box:

Much to my surprise, she had saved EVERY SINGLE LETTER I HAD EVER WRITTEN!!! I couldn't believe it when I opened the box because there sat over 150 letters!! As you can imagine, the tears started flowing! There were letters starting with 6 cent postage all the way to present day. You could easily see the progression of a child's handwriting to an adults, and my choices of stationery were quite interesting;o) I have spent the better part of the afternoon pouring over these treasures ~ with each word I read a memory is brought back to life! In those letters we poured out our hearts to each other, a lifetime of living. Broken hearts, accomplishments, illnesses, dreams . . . One letter I had written said I WOULD NEVER find the right man for me, little did I know! lol Our love for Donny Osmond was quite obvious but we couldn't agree on who was cuter, Donny or David Cassidy! I talked about my favorite Christmas gift one year which was Mystery Date and when I had my first job I was thrilled with $1.50 cents an hour!
Now you know why this gift was my favorite. Although it didn't cost any money, to me it is simply priceless. So many, many memories brought back to life through pen and paper and all because of the love of a dear friend.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a treasure!

Happy Belated Birthday!☺

Adrienne said...

Such a special treasure from a very special friend. I have a friend like that but I doubt that she has saved my letters. If she saves my emails she will have to move out of her house soon. They will take over. ~Adrienne~

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Happy Birthday! Having hit 50 just a few years ago, I will say it is a delightful decade.

I remember when I was making $1.50 an hour and thought I was RICH. Of course, back then, it went a lot farther than it does now. :)

Oh... David Cassidy for certain.

candy said...

Happy Birthday MIV!!!!
Big birthday hugs,
Candy
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Happy 50th Birthday, Susan! I hope you had a wonderful day with your family!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Susan!!! Fifty is nifty!

And, by the way, David Cassidy, definitely David Cassidy. Unless we're talking Bobby Sherman, then that would be a whole 'nother story! ;-)

Michelle said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Susan...so sorry I missed it! (I know you understand, though :) What a super special gift from your super special friend...how wonderful!

Love,
Michelle

Tori Leslie said...

How special, what a treasure!
So did you make it through all 150??

Paula said...

Wow! A good part of your life is stored in that box. Glad it brought you much joy.

Happy belated birthday!

((Hugs))
Mrs. C

Donna Kay said...

First - Happy 50th!! It's really not so bad!!!
What a treasure - such a very thoughtful friend!!
Bless...
Donna

Nikki said...

That's amazing she kept all of those. How special for you.

Mindy said...

Happy Birthday Susan!!! What an amazing gift that you have in your friend! God bless you always,
Mindy xo

JacquiG said...

Happy Birthday!! Yesterday was also my birthday ... but I'm a little older than you. I turned 53 yesterday. Life gets better as we get older!

Jackie

Anonymous said...

I'll be 50 in a couple of years, but I know I won't get a gift like that...I would, however love to get Donny Osmond in box! I guess you know who my choice is...LOL...definitely DONNY OSMOND!!! STILL THE BEST EVEN AT 50!!!

Cristina from North Carolina

Firefly Nights said...

What a wonderful gift.

G.L.H. said...

What a beautiful gift!

Log my vote for David Cassidy. I had the Life-Size poster on my bedroom door. Tho' I agree with Cheryl that Bobby Sherman was no slouch, either...

--Barbara

Lallee said...

Happy 50th, Susan! What an absolute treasure your friend sent you. I can't imagine anything more exciting or entertaining than going down memory lane through letters.

How about if I hold off on the 60's decade until you catch up and we cross that threshold together? Can it work that way ;-)

Blessings and many more birthdays!
Lallee
PS Loved the family photos of vacation!

Sharon said...

Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing your very special gift! Your friend must treasure your friendship very much to have saved all your letters!!! How wonderful to have a trip down memory lane!!

Abounding Treasures said...

Happy 50th Susan.

What a special and treasured gift you've received from a very *old* friend :o)

I remember making $2.50 per hour when I started my 1st job way back in 1973!

Debbie J said...

I turned 50 this year too! Happy 50th to you!