Friends Lost and Found

Have you been trying to connect with someone, but feel like you keep hitting dead ends? A recent experience made me wonder how many times we only make one or two attempts to contact someone and then give up–never knowing if that third attempt would’ve worked.

I live in the Eastern part of the United States. Three weeks ago when I brought in the mail, I noticed that there was a piece of mail for someone else. It most likely was a Christmas card, given its shape and the cute snowmen stickers on it. When I studied the addresses, I was a bit puzzled. It was a card mailed from the Western part of the United States to someone located in the South-West of the United States. How did it ever end up in my mailbox? I wrote a little note on the back of the envelope, “Hope this reaches you in time for Christmas. Sorry, it took a detour to upstate New York! Barb” Then I mailed it in a nearby mailbox.

Two weeks ago, when I brought in the mail, ONCE AGAIN, the card was in my mailbox! Wondering if there was a mistake with the postal meter, I took it to the post office and asked what the meter reading was. Sure enough, it read my address on one side of the envelope and the correct address on the other side. (How my address got used, no one seems to know.) I was assured that they would get it fixed and would send the card to the rightful owner.

Two days ago when I stopped at the post office to purchase a few booklets of the “forever” stamps, the postmaster was excited to see me. She said that Lynda wanted to thank me. Lynda??? Yes, Lynda was the person who received the card. Apparently the postmaster added a note on the back of the envelope…”Sorry for the lateness of this card. Thanks to Barb it’s now in your hands.” She then signed it with, “PO (and the town’s name).” Lynda was so thankful to receive the card that she googled the town and called the post office.

When I commented to the postmaster that for just a Christmas card, there sure has been a lot of fuss over it, the postmaster got teary eyed and told me that it was a much needed card. She told me that she could tell me why or I could return Lynda’s call. Intrigued, I decided to call Lynda. I called the day after Christmas. Lynda, a woman in her mid-30s, told me that the card was from her sister April. Lynda and April had had a falling out ten years ago. Lynda sent her a card about five years ago, another one three years ago and then one at Thanksgiving time. In her cards, Lynda apologized for the falling out and begged her sister to put the past behind them. When Lynda read April’s card (and it was a Christmas card) there was a note explaining that Tom, April’s husband, never gave her the first two cards. He assumed that they were hurtful cards and didn’t want April hurt and further. However, when the third card arrived, April had brought in the mail that day and tore opened the card. She cried and cried when she realized that Lynda had been trying to make amends all these years. In April’s letter to Lynda, she too apologized and told Lynda that she loved her. She also asked if her children could meet Aunt Lynda in the new year. So excited to receive the card, Lynda decided to call April on Christmas Day. When she called, Tom broke down in tears and broke the news to Lynda that April had been hit by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve. She didn’t survive.

As I listened to Lynda share this heart-wrenching story, I broke into tears as well. And then Lynda said something so beautiful…”I know the reality of losing my sister hasn’t totally hit me yet. But, knowing that I have been given the gift of forgiveness and knowing that April loves me, will forever resonate in my heart. I’m no longer haunted with the “what if’s”. And Tom still wants me to meet my niece and nephew.”

Lynda then thanked me for writing the note on the back of the envelope and for making sure the card reached her.

Wow! I’m glad I did the right thing, but I’m so impressed with Lynda’s perseverance. She decided to make that third attempt to reach her sister and it resulted in a life-changing experience for her!!!

How about you. Is there someone whom you’ve been searching for? Don’t give up! Don’t just try once or twice. Keep trying and trying and trying until you make that contact! Utilize this site, google the person’s name, check Facebook…persevere, persevere, persevere.

Listen to your heart…