I was rummaging through my closet over the weekend and came across a small briefcase I forgot about. In it I found my father’s birth certificate, letters he had written to his family while he was away at the tender age of 15, b/w photos, etc.
When my family and I went to his home to sort through his items three years ago, we found birthday cards and bank statements going back as far as 20 years. He kept everything. The task was emotionally draining.
So we decided to take whatever we can and sort thru it at our own pace.
As timing would have it, I was delighted to discover the letters he wrote to his parents while he was away living with his Aunt/Uncle for the year. I felt as if I was prying into a window of my father’s earlier life.
With each page, each loose shape of his cursive handwriting, I longed to know how it was for him during that year.
In one letter, I couldn’t help but smile and even chuckle because he met a girl whom he was smitten with. I wonder whether he could have imagined that I would read these letters one day.
Family time capsules like these exist, some still waiting to be found in attics, closets, etc, each preserving a special history. These are among the most precious gifts I ever could imagine one generation passing to another.
Reading the letters was bittersweet. It’s amazing how life plays out, because not too long after he reunited with his family, he met my mother. 😀
We miss you Dad. ❤️
Wow! It must have been overwhelming and saddening at the same time to find your father’s letters. Did you find any similarities between his and your demeanour/writing style etc.? I would love to know about my parents’ before they met each other.
I’ve had mixed emotions when I read the letters- and a deeper understanding of his childhood innocence. His letters were penned as if it was a diary; felt almost as if I was prying. 😌
I miss my father too and went through a similar process shortly after he died. My mother died way back in in 1964 and my father remarried soon after. The pictures of my birth mother and the romance he had with her were stashed away in the attic until I found them after his death.
It must’ve been a wonderful surprise for you to find letters from your parents from youth. This sounds like a post in the making for you. 🙂
Yup. I’m thinking…
This is such a beautiful post! I was expecting you to talk about your father’s letters written to you, but what you have found is a real treasure! We all know our parents as parents but yo know them as kids would be such a lovely experience! You are very lucky indeed! Much love <3
It was a wonderful surprise to say the least. 🙂 A big hug to you.
Such a sweet post <3
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
This is a wonderful story, I am very glad that you were blessed to have found these letters. I am going to reblog this article for you.
Thank you for the share.
Grand to have such personal history. This is one reason that I countinue to write personal letters to family & friends. I have boxes to read back through in the future. -Oscar
Brilliant. The art of writing a letter by hand is quickly becoming a thing of the past, but you’re wise to preserve this. ~ Bernice
treasure of golden memory are so valuable. 🙂 .
Indeed they are. 🤗
This is so sweet. My family does not have keepsakes like this, you have been given a very special gift 🙂
Maybe one day you’ll find something that you will treasure.
Such beautiful treasures and fond memories. Bless you. 🙂
Thank you.
You’re welcome. 🙂
Such a beautiful gift!
It surely was. 🙂
In your words I find the love you have for you dad.
Those amazing precious things you got are gems to family.
Wishing you All Happy New Year🌷💞
Shiva
Shiva may the seeds you planted blossom in 2018. 💗
I can only imagine how hard it must be for you. I must say i find this very beautiful and sweet x
Thank you for your comforting words. After 3 years of his passing I was ready to read them. 🤗
How very special. Next Saturday (6th Jan) I’ll be going to mum’s home and going through all of her old stuff. I imagine it’s going to be very emotional and I wonder what I’ll find. So many memories. ❤️
Are you going with your siblings or on your own? You’ll find items that will bring comfort, laughter and others may just be reminders of her absence in the house. Much peace and inner strength to you. 💜💐
I’m going with my older sister Berniece. Yes, I imagine you’re right about what I’ll find. Thank you for your words of comfort. 💜🌸
Oh wow. I can only imagine how emotional this was for you. I hope it brings you joy
It*
Yes. It was. Thanks 🙏
A special treasure and insight.
Indeed it was. 🙂
This is so beautiful. What a gift to find these letters. Thank You for sharing your treasures with us.
You’re welcome Alexis. It truly was a wonderful time capsule.
Nice to read. I kept my mom’s diary when they first left NY for the Catskills and her old recipes. I have published some of her diary on my blog because it was very funny: a city lady adjusting to the country and this was truly the country way back then. And her recipes never went out of style. Some things you just hold on to especially to remember during the holidays.
It’s a joy to read what they went thru. I’ll have to visit your blog to read a few of your moms pages from her diary. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I was just rereading them the other day and laughing about visiting the cellar; not being able to drive as she had always relied on the subway and asking the local wine store to deliver. Funny. I will publish them again after the New Year again. They keep me grounded in reality.
Such a beautiful post.
Thank you Aanchal. 🤗
That was beautiful, and yes, bittersweet. ❤️
It is good you took the time to carefully go through those things. Several years after my mother died I found a small life insurance policy and the name of the cemetery where my sister was buried, when I was too young to even remember.
Wow! I tell you it was divine timing.
what a treasure you found! I am glad you are the caretaker as I know you appreciated them. What a beautiful family picture!
Thank you Michele. I enjoying browsing thru old photos. There’s something magical about them.
wow what an insight to have!! I would love to find things like that, I hope that it brings you warmth and not pain xx
Yes. It did bring warmth and a huge smile 😀. I guess I was ready and open to read his letters just days before his 3 yr mark from passing over.
Oh that is lovely. I bet it makes you miss him but hopefully it keeps that smile on your face as you build an image of his earlier years. x