Day 2…The year was 1991. I had in tow a toddler and an infant. We became a one-car family after my husband’s died. The fix would’ve been too expensive and perhaps another catastrophe would strike. At first, I felt a bit stir-crazy not being able to stretch beyond my four walls to meet with friends.
Only mothers of small children without an instant babysitter can fully appreciate the agony one faces on an ongoing basis like I faced in those early years. The hardest part of it all was the lack of adult stimulation. Babble was soon the only language I understood, washing mile high piles of laundry daily, constantly feeding little people, on and on and on the list goes. Did I feel lonely? You bet! Would I have changed a thing? No way!
What was I to do to reduce the overwhelming solitude I sensed throughout my waking hours? By a stroke of good fortune, one morning I had the TV on in the kitchen as I bathed my infant daughter when a banner popped across the TV screen about Pen pal International. A light when on inside my head and decided pen palling would be a great way to bridge my loneliness to the outside world.
Putting pen to paper, I wrote my letter requesting an international penpal. My first pal was from England. She and I no longer write, but I still penpal after 20 years with a couple of dozen regular snail mail friends. Incidentally, I even still manage to stay in touch with one of my first overseas pals. A dear sweet gal from Finland who I consider a close friend, fellow sister, and comrade in motherhood. However, these days when we visit with one another instead of meeting at the mailbox like we once did, it’s now cyber greetings primarily and an occasion a snail mail from time-to-time.
My penpal list is few in number over the last several years. Life has a way of changing your priorities, but within my heart, I consider the women I’ve met over the past two decades as friends…close friends. Once a friend, always a friend in my book. The void I felt so long ago disappeared when two strangers seeking mutual bonds connected. Thanks to all of my sweet, forever-friends across the miles!
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@Donnie…I totally agree nothing replaces a good old-fashion greeting through the mail. It beats junk mail or bills any ole day, huh?
I remember being penpals in the early, prior to computers, days. I still try to write the older friends and relatives I have because nothing beats a letter or card in the mail. Cute post.
@Danielle…thank you following. Looking forward to repeat visits.
New follower from the Where in the World are you Wednesday blog hop! I’m in Canton, Ohio – how about you?
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