Unexpected mail

I have always loved to check the mail.  Ever since I was a little girl I have thought that it was exhilarating to get to the mailbox first to see if I had in fact received something special.  Even now everyday when I come home from work the first thing I do is check the mail.

When I was a kid the mail that I got was either cards or letters from "pen pals" (yes,I did have a pen pal).  As I entered into my teen years the mail was sparse and mostly junk. I turned 18 and the mail was full of retail therapy and impulse shopping bills.  I indeed had discovered credit cards.  Then I discovered magazine subscriptions and online shopping.....need  I say more.  Now days the mail consists of mainly bills and a few cards from my sweet in-laws.

Today I opened the mailbox expecting a bill, a magazine, and of course some junk.  But today was different.  On the top of the stack was a letter that made my stomach feel as though I had swallowed a bowling ball.  A quick and sudden pit formed.  I could recognize the hand writing before I even read the return address.  

Today I received a letter from the last person that ever heard my sister speak or sing or even breathe.
Today I received a letter from the boy that my sister loved and who loved her in return.

I know it may come as a shock (or maybe not) to most of you, but I did in fact write a letter to this boy at the beginning of his stay in....well his temporary home (or at least that is what we will call it). He replied back promptly and then I couldn't ever find the courage to write again.  So months, gosh maybe even a year, have gone by and then todays letter comes. The letter was short, sweet, and probably the most genuine letter that I have ever received.....well in fact I know that it is the most genuine.  The letter was something that, very unexpectedly, brightened my day.   

It's funny how the things that can bring you the most sorrow can also bring you the most joy.  Two years ago I would have never expected such a letter, but today he reminded me that there are still genuine people out in the world and he also reminded me of my sister.  He is the only friend of hers that has contacted me to tell me how much he misses her and how much he cared for her.

After all is said and done the person who I thought I would never speak to again has shown me something you rarely see in people anymore. He has shown sincerity, and for that I am thankful.