Love, Letters and Lava Trickle
“My dearest friend across the miles. I love the letters crossing the states again to illuminate the ties between us.”
My precious friend Debbie wrote this on April 19, 2026. I opened her silky stationary the other day with joyful anticipation. The smooth lines of her fountain pen stand out like something of yester-year. Not only are her words immediately reassuring, they eloquently express so much love and longing for our friendship. We joke that we are ‘torn asunder’ as long distance friends since the 90’s.
Both of us with a fondness for literature and period pieces, we can’t help but sense how the characters in our favorite novels felt writing letters once a year to loved ones. Even though we are only 6 hours apart and have access to immediate communication, separation exists.
Barriers of today feel as monstrous as the barren prairie did in the 1800s. Our ancestors may disagree, but with technology comes demands on time for immediacy. If physically unable to be present, we are expected to zoom or face time. No time for rest, renewal or privacy anymore.
Modern life is as easy as text. Yet, I am writing her back on card stock right now, I just stopped to reply to a hysterical text with the phrase "lava trickle" she sent which made me laugh so hard in the midst of everything I am carrying; which is so unbelievably heavy. I ache for her. I long for her joy in my presence.
I am so grateful she can give me a shot of humor in my busy days through text. I am also so happy that we send letters. We can ‘savor’ the letter. Holding it, thinking about how we selected the stickers or stamp. Relishing the messages inside and the way the paper feels in my hands. It’s like holding her hand in a manner while we are unable to physically.
A friendship like ours has become sacred as the years have passed. I now feel a reverence for the way we have invested in each other since college where we met. Humor in heartbreak was our first connection. Unrequited love that we confided in one another gave way to becoming each other’s maid of honor and godmothers to our firstborns. Her support along with her husband Greg through my husband’s death and subsequent grief journey of losing my mother and other relatives are some of the greatest gifts of my life. Threaded throughout; we have walked by faith, been loyal prayer partners and made everything possible into a glorious inside joke to the degree we have logged it all into a book. So much more story to unfold for us!
For the spirit and legacy of the written word, reach out to someone who has been there for you and send them a letter. It will be the most beautiful gift.