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JenealogyScrapbook's avatar

A lovely story. We used to have pen pals at school but never seemed to keep them up. I love the fabric card you made for Ginny’s 95th birthday.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Jenny, Thank you. I'm with you about trying to keep up with them. I still have my letters from my penpals who lived all over the world. Several years ago when I was looking through that box of letters I decided I'd try to find my penpal from Yugoslavia. Since the breakup of the country, I have no idea how I'd even find her, and she may have changed her name. I didn't have any luck then but I might try again. It would make for an interesting story. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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Marci Keats Rudolph 🇨🇦's avatar

Friends are often the family we choose. Thanks for sharing your lovely relationship with Ginny.

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Marian Beaman's avatar

Ginny and Bill look supremely happy. Their romance, sustained by letters, may have something to do with it. My husband and I had an epistolary relationship too before our marriage.

Lovely post, Linda!

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Marian, They did have a lovely relationship. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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MelRootsNWrites's avatar

What a wonderful tribute! Penpalling is near and dear to my heart. I started in my teens in the 1980s by responding to a call for penpals in a magazine. I had several from all over the world for many years. Their are a couple who I keep in contact with still. One who I was in contact with for over 40 years passed away last year. I considered her one of my dearest friends.

You can really build a bond through letters that is different but just as meaningful as "in person" friends. I'm glad your mom had this special friend.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Mel, Thank you! Penpalling was a big thing for me too. I also had penpals all over the world. My French penpal and I have recently reconnected on Facebook. Yes, you are so right. Letter writing is a great way to connect.

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Carole McCulloch's avatar

I loved hearing about Ginny and her letters. What a wonderful treasure trove of memories they have brought to you. Finding her granddaughter back in 2009 was a bonus.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Carole, Thank you!

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Denyse Allen's avatar

What a wonderful tribute. So well told I teared up at the end. May we all be remembered like this.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Denyse, Thank you.

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Sharon Cook's avatar

that is a beautiful story. BRings smiles & tears

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Sharon, Thanks. Thought about you as I wrote this.

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Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

This long friendship is a joy to read about. I'm so glad you also kept in touch with Ginny. I also had a penpal when I was a young teenager and we are again in contact via the internet.

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Lynda Heines's avatar

Thank you. I have a French penpal who I reconnected on Facebook with a couple years ago.

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