Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Proverbs 25:25 (NIV)
James, a veteran of the Korean War era, attended our annual Veteran’s Fishing Day this year. James wears a nearly constant smile, and we hit it off right away. After a bumpy wheelchair ride over the stony path alongside the pond, we commenced to fish and talk about life in general.
James was in the Navy during the 1950’s. He was deployed on a Destroyer ship in the Pacific. He wears hearing aids in both ears and is on constant oxygen. James told me that due to the effects from the concussions of the heavy guns, his memory was not very good anymore.
“But I was in the Navy, I remember that!” James stated with a big smile.
James wasn’t married when he was in the service. He said he recalls getting letters from home while he was on the ship, letters from his mom and dad.
“Oh, I got letters. They worried about me. The letters helped a lot. They really helped a lot. I got lots of letters. And I remember when I got to come home. I was so glad to be home again.”
Although James doesn’t recall much about his life, I found it interesting that he still remembers receiving letters from his family. Even after several decades and a lifetime of forgotten experiences, James still remember the letters. He still remembers how they helped get him through some very tough times in his life.
In our world of instant communications, I hope you’ll take the time to write someone you care about.
Soon.
Hope you have a great day.
The older I get, the more I love a hand written letter too. There is something warmer and more real–almost as good as hearing the writer’s voice. I may have to go back a bit more to snail mail as I think on this one.
Thanks Becky. When I lived in Africa, I would read and re-read letters from family and friends. They always made the day brighter.