an old friend.

a slight *squeak* and *creak* of the wooden desk's door. a small puff of dust is released into the air, tickling my nose.                                                my beloved writing desk, scarred with scratches and marred with age. how long has it been since I have opened you? a month or two?                         and there, amidst the cluttered pile lie three treasures from the past. I smile.                

among the blessings of life, a little letter that arrives in my green mailbox is perhaps the most cherished, and not just because it brightens a day or even the week, but because {as memories fail you know} the sweet hand-written script brings warmth even months --- years --- gone by.  

but letters are not only a piece of paper with scribbles from a pen, but I can rightly say they are a friend. a comfort to connect with another kindred soul, experiencing the same challenges and encouraging my walk heavenward with their simple and sweet words. 

to-day, I opened my writing desk to find three letters written by two beautiful young ladies. both older than I. yet, even though their lives are lived miles away from mine, reading their notes written months ago {as I am terribly behind on my letter writing} gave me joy, brightened my day with a radiance stronger than the day I received them, because they were carefully written by a dear sister. e-mails, text, and comments connect {for I am a very big supporter of blogging ;)}, but nothing compares to a letter.

so this Christmastime season sit down and write a letter. just write. 

because you may not know how much it truly means to the receiver. 

lovingly,

the keeper of the garden. 

[images via pinterest]