My Friend's Letters -
February 13, 2001
I have a very dear friend who lives out of town. We've
been best friends for a long time and even though we
don't get to see each other face to face, he is often on
my mind. When He and I get a chance to visit, we can stay
up until the wee hours of the morning just enjoying each
other's company. He seems to know exactly what's on my
mind and just the right question to ask to get to the
heart of what I'm feeling. He is the first person I what
to share good news with, because I know he will be
sincerely thrilled for me with no tinge of envy or
jealousy. He's also the first person I call when things
go sour. We've been through so much together it seems
like he is a part of me. My friend promises to make it
back to town sometime, but his job keeps him so busy I
don't know when that will be. In the meantime we do keep
in touch because, unlike me, he is an avid letter
writer.
It may surprise you, since you read my e-mail
newsletters, but I am the world's worst letter writer. I
have good intentions but never seem to find time to sit
down with pen and paper. I'm ashamed to say it, but I
don't think my friend has ever received a letter from me.
That doesn't stop him though, he keeps writing even
though I just give him quick calls every now and then. I
love to read his letters, because it is almost like he's
right here next to me. Sometimes he writes about his
travels (his job literally takes him around the world),
sometimes he writes about other people he has come in
contact with, and sometimes he just writes to tell me he
loves me and is thinking of me. He is older than I am and
has done so much, so I treasure the bits of advice he
often includes. He is such a wonderful writer, his words
flow almost like poetry. I have kept every letter he has
written me over the years. There are so many that I keep
them all in a book. Many times when I'm thinking of him
I'll pick up my book and thumb through the pages. I have
even underlined my favorite parts.
All this talk about my friend has gotten me thinking
about him, so I think I'll get my book and read it for a
while. I wish I could share it with you for I know you'd
love it as much as I do. But you know, maybe I can.
Though these letters were written just for me, they have
been published and have even become a worldwide best
seller. There are copies everywhere, you probably already
have one. Maybe you even know my friend! If you do,
you'll know what I mean when I say it's not just the Good
Book, it's a great book! Happy reading.
