A LEGACY OF LOVE
Carve your name on hearts, not marble - Charles H. Spurgeon
I'm at my desk today, writing notes to a few friends I've heard from recently. I was reminded of the importance of regular letter writing when I recently came across a letter my Great Aunt Louise wrote to my grandmother many years before I was born. Aunt Louise was born in 1911 and died of stomach cancer at age 39.
In the right top corner of her handwritten note was written, "Thurs. A.M." Other than that indicator, the note was undated. Aunt Louise was my paternal grandfather's youngest sister, beautiful and known to be quite a kind and caring person. My dad said she was the kindest person he'd ever met, and she was loved by all. I've only ever seen one picture of her; she was grown yet young and beautiful, with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, a flawless complexion and very well dressed. She was poised and elegant.
of The Heartspoken Note reminds us that whether written or spoken, words from the heart will never fail you. There are countless times I've found this to be true and this letter is no exception.Aunt Louise didn't use fancy stationery. Her note was penned in simple blue ink (I'm guessing a Bic), on a stenographer's pad that afterward was ripped from the spiral notebook, because that knowing edge was still intact at the top of both pages. She didn't use flourishes or fancy words, but her message was from the heart. It was mailed in a plain white, letter-size envelope. Even though she was bedridden and writing "on her back," as she put it, her note was kind. There were no complaints or evidence of a pity party. Instead, she focused on others - and my grandmother's new baby (was it my dad or his sister she was asking about?)
Her note was filled with happy things and kind words. She thanked my grandmother for the pretty card and note. She said she was "feeling fine today and improving right along, if it is slow." She asked if they (my grandparents) were working that day. She had pumpkin pie but no 'turkey grist," which makes me wonder if her note was written on or near Thanksgiving Day (it was Thursday, after all).
Even though she couldn't sit up, she shared that "it's certainly a pretty day here; if I'm feeling like it, I may ask Foster (her husband) to put me out in the yard." The Daughters of America "done me a wonderful grocery pounding last week - about $25 worth of groceries. Was nice. Also a pretty pink bed jacket." She wrote cookbook style, and I can only think how uncomfortable it must've been for her to write while lying in bed and in pain, but her letter was so kind as she asked how everyone else was. It was outward focused.
Aunt Louise died the following May 11, approximately 6 months after the note seems to have been written. While my aunt only lived 39 years, she left a legacy of love. She carved her name on many hearts, always extending grace and kindness to others, even in spite of her own trials. Each day, we have the opportunity to carve our name on the hearts of everyone we encounter, whether our connection is face-to-face, through an email or text message, or in the more lasting way of writing.
What my friend
says is true: Heartspoken notes are those that connect, comfort, encourage and inspire. My aunt and her gentle way of living and loving in such a selfless way continues to inspire 74 years after her death. She was so humble, I’m sure she’d be quite surprised that her letter and legacy lives on and has inspired family members she never met.Writing is SO important and #Heartspoken notes that connect with others surely never fail us, so let's keep writing!
Oh my goodness — this one could have used a tissue warning. How remarkable that this single letter holds so much power in terms of both emotions and memory.
After reading Vicki Peel’s post this morning, it’s a double reminder that the only real way to measure success in this world is through the love we share.