The Back Page
By Sue Ferguson
I heard the birds for the first time in a long time this morning which means my window was actually open in the bedroom, and it is becoming temperate enough that the birds are resurfacing! Both good signs that we are coming out of what has been a long winter. Many people are expressing their frustration with the length of the cold season this year. It feels like we have been confined a bit as of late, and Shane and I have been watching our fair share of Netflix series over the winter months.
I have been watching a show called “Everwood”, a drama involving a world-renowned brain surgeon from New York City whose wife passes away after which time he takes his two children, and picks up and moves to a small town in Colorado. It is a wholesome show, and I relate to it from a couple of perspectives, as I lived in Colorado, and I lost a spouse. During one of the episodes, the main character has to face the fact that he has not dealt with the loss of his wife. His therapist suggests that he write her a letter expressing all of the things that he never got to tell her as a way to find some peace. I really thought about that, and writing does allow us to express ourselves in an amazing and unique way. We don’t always have words to speak to someone in the moment, but writing gives us a medium in which to “speak” our thoughts on paper. In this era of cell phones, hand written notes and cards are few and far between. I have learned that especially long after someone is gone, the hand written notes and cards are treasures. I have cards and letters from friends and family that I read now and again just to remind me of their presence and place at a certain time in my life. I know that I have written about the art of letter writing in my past columns, but it is a subject worth revisiting. We can never underestimate the power of our words written to express love, encouragement, and teaching. The New Testament of the Bible contains epistles, which were essentially letters written by apostles and other leaders to churches and individuals. It was a way of communicating that could be used for encouraging, correcting, teaching, and guiding, early Christians in their faith and practice.
The more I think about it, I really like the idea of writing a letter to a loved one who has passed on, and I think my first letter would be to my Gran. There are so many things I would like to tell her and so many things I would like to thank her for. Is there someone in your life, past or present, with whom you would like to share a letter of your thoughts? It doesn't take much time or money, and you can hand deliver it, slip it in the mailbox, or simply tuck it away in a drawer. God has given us the tools in teaching us how to love one another. In the time of transition from this long cold season to the spring, why not brighten the day of a friend or family member by sharing a piece of your heart? You can share love and encouragement with them, and perhaps deliver some peace to your own heart as well.
