the power of call…
August 4, 2010
I was putting books in a box when the old letter slipped out onto my lap. I’m not much of a pack rat but must have stuck this little gem away a very long time ago. It was a letter from my “Pop”, my grandfather, written to me when I was just five years old.
He was a working class man, a mason, a depression era guy, with deep faith and strong sense of family. I can remember how we sang from hymn books together for hours. He was a gentle nose wiper and always had a hanky in his back pocket which my mom thought was kind of gross. My sister and I would play hairdresser with his thick white hair, he didn’t even mind about a hundred bright clips and ribbons in his shiny mane. He was a legacy kind of man, with a strong presence and a wise word.
He didn’t write letters very often, maybe on some level I knew it was special…even then. It was written on old Current stationary with green butterflies, like the kind my Gram always had in her old desk.
I burst into tears as I read…I didn’t remember it at all, it was like reading it for the first time. I could actually feel the covering over me, one that has been there my whole life but feels more sacred than ever.
Sent in September 1981 when I was 5.
Dear Patience,
This is just a note to thank you for the little book you gave me.
I read it thru, and it was a great story and I enjoyed it very much.
That was very kind of you.
And I pray , all your life, you will try to be kind to people,
no matter who they are or how they treat you.
Thanks again.
Your friend and your
Pop
It all matters, the blessing, one little thank you note to a little girl, the call on an entire life…
Kindnessgirl 
August 4, 2010 at 11:10 pm
This gave me serious goose-bumps.
Your Pop would be blown away by what you’re doing, Patience – you’re living it above and beyond. 🙂
August 4, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Hi Patience. I continue to really enjoy checking your site on a regular basis. It always touches me in a way I least expect during what are now very busy days. This post reminded me that I’ve been meaning to pass along my friend’s (and my youngest son’s doula’s) website: The Letter Writing Revolution. I think you are kindred spirits. http://theletterwritingrevolution.blogspot.com/
Blessings, Chris
August 6, 2010 at 6:01 am
oh, thanks Chris for sharing…I just love projects like that!
August 4, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Oh, wow. That is awesome.
You have always been shaped by kindness. 🙂
August 5, 2010 at 12:29 am
two things – his handwriting is absolutely beautiful and i too cried. so very, very powerful. god bless ❤ ❤
August 5, 2010 at 6:38 am
How beautiful, it brought a tear to my eye too.
August 5, 2010 at 8:14 am
Patience,
Your Mom forwarded the above to me. Thank you so much for sharing Pop’s letter. Besides being my Dad he was my best friend. He always had a way of saying simple but heart touching thoughts that I have never forgotten. But most of all he lived what he believed i.e. Jesus.
Blessing to you and your family,
Love, Uncle Bobby
August 6, 2010 at 6:04 am
thanks uncle bobby for taking the time to write…much love to you.
August 5, 2010 at 11:50 am
breath taking! your conscious mind may have forgotten but there it has been,in your unconscious mind molding your whole life!
Meghan
August 5, 2010 at 1:16 pm
And you are passing his blessing on. Thank you.
August 5, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Oh, goodness, I have chills down my arms and tears in my eyes. What a beautiful, beautiful piece of your life.
August 5, 2010 at 1:27 pm
lovely, just lovely.
i just spent two weeks photocopying my grandmother’s recipe cards from her recipe book because i wanted them in HER handwriting.
August 5, 2010 at 3:36 pm
so, so good. like he knew before you did.
August 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm
that’s the sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time. thank you for sharing.;
August 5, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Oh mama! I wish you were here. I would so hug you. thanks for the cry… the good cry. I needed it.
August 6, 2010 at 6:05 am
thank you everybody for sharing this sweet memory with me, it’s the kind that means even more when you have someone to tell…especially people you care about, strangers and friends alike.
August 6, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I’ve come back to read this a number of times. This just takes my soul out for a little road trip in a convertible with the top down.
So beautiful for you. And so powerful, now that you’ve shared it. We all have to the power to make blessings on those around us. To influence in positive ways. So, so amazing 🙂
August 7, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I burst into tears as I read this. As someone else said, your grandfather knew you before you did – he recognized the kindness in you even then. Just last night I had a very moving dream about my grandmother (who has been gone for more than twenty years) and woke up crying, because she was clearly guiding me towards something new and different – and a little scary – in my life (and away from something else I need to leave). These special people can leave such a lasting impact and legacy in our lives.
August 9, 2010 at 12:14 am
so true…hope courage comes to you giving you lots of strength and power as you open your heart to the new thing…i’m sure your grandmother is very proud of you…
August 7, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Very powerful…great post!
August 10, 2010 at 11:48 am
One word. Wow. (wiping tears)
October 1, 2010 at 1:56 pm
OMG!! This is powerful! He knew who you would be back then, almost the same age as your little Lucy! And you find it right when you need it most. Don’t ever doubt the positive power and influence you make in the world. You ARE kindness girl! I love you and I know I would have loved your grandpa too!
July 20, 2013 at 5:01 am
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July 29, 2013 at 10:07 pm
Wow. Just wow.