I received a long letter today from my penpal. She is a old lady, over 80 years old, from my home church. She and her husband used to sit right behind us in church when I was a little girl. She always laughed a lot, and her husband was serious and quiet.
Her husband, Roger, passed away a few years back and now she is too old to go out much. She has always been a friend to my mom and when I found out that she was asking about me, I started to write to her.
Now I get letters that, well, open my eyes to the wonderfulness of my life.
Here is a quote from today’s letter, just as she wrote it:
“I canned a few quarts of applesauce lately, another favorite of Roger’s. I envy you and Rich. It is so wonderful when they come home each nite after a whole day away. Your heart just flutters and skips a few beats to have them close again. That’s what I miss now—those big hugs when he came home.—“no more hugs”. That’s what I used to say every day over and over, “I love your arms” around me. He did love me, more than I deserved. It was wonderful while it lasted.”
I’m going to savor Rich’s hug today.
“those big hugs when he comes home”
Good to be Home 
What a very sweet lady she must be. Thanks for the reminder to savor the hugs today, for we know not how many more there will be.
I did as you suggested and have now learned how to sing it! Thank you!
Oh wow, that is so sad, yet so sweet at the same time. Really makes me want to hug Matt before even gets in the door tonight. Thanks for sharing this, hun. I’m glad you’re home š
how wonderfully poignant her letters are. and what a great reminder to savor precious moments now… all too soon, they will be gone.
She sounds like a special woman. What wise advice . . . advice that we needed to remind ourselves on a daily basis.
It’s so easy to take for granted the things we have. That’s a wonderful way to be reminded to treasure your treasures. What a great thing you have, your relationship with this woman who has lived a long, full life and is full of wisdom to impart to you.
Wow. Wonerful and heartbreaking.Thank you sooooo much for sharing it!!!Blessings,Angie
How blessed we are to have husbands that we can see, hug, and talk to. That sweet lady has reminded me not to take what I have for granted. When my husband comes home tonight, I am going to make sure that I really hug him and truly enjoy it.
I have been getting to know a sweet lady who lost her husband a few years ago. They were married when she was 18 and had many happy years together. She has shared her loneliness with me, how she misses the companionship and the intimacy and just being “special” to that one man in her life. Thank you for reminding me again to cherish my own husband and the time God has given us together …
You and I share a love of nostalgia and older, wiser people.
Shandra,
What a beautiful post. A wonderful reminder to hold our love tightly. Thank you.
i’m crying. ~hugs~
Now you put tears in my eyes too! I love Sally and it breaks my heart seeing those words!
That’s such a sweet reminder that we need to savor each day. blessings
Ok, I’m crying. I always have to wondered why God made it that we spend our whole lives building together and then when we are old and frail (for most) it gets taken away. Doesn’t seem right some how…
Oh my word. I just have to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed your blog. But this one did me in. I’ve been reading for several minutes now…(after linking from your comment to me) and I just love your blog. Your family and home are gorgeous. And your writing as well. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve subscribed. What fun it is to peek into others’ lives and gain some insight in the meantime. (hugs) Penny