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Light, Love, Hope

Light in the Darkness Surrounded by Love with Hope for those in need.

Shirley

About Shirley

https://lightlovehope.com

Shirley is the proud mother of two beautiful young ladies. She enjoys spending time with them on their ranch in the deep South with their three paint horses. Always looking for an adventure, she looks forward to hikes in the mountains chasing waterfalls, or scouring the coast for beautiful lighthouses! Shirley writes to encourage others and often times shares things that motivate and inspire her. She believes in living life to the fullest because no one is promised the gift of another day. Join her as we honor our bodies, minds, hearts, souls, and our Almighty Creator, God above!

Posts by Shirley :

Take Action Tuesday

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Today I’d like to call each of our readers to action in what I’m calling Take Action Tuesdays.  What I’m asking is in line with the Random Act of Kindness (RAK) that Gregory, aka The Quiet Computer Guy, mentions on Wednesdays.  Now instead of merely suggesting that you do a RAK, I’m insisting that you take action in some way today to show love and kindness to others.   As Greg has mentioned in previous posts he has shared on Wednesdays, it doesn’t have to be anything big – simply opening the door for someone or holding it open for the next person to go through is a small gesture that could brighten someone’s day.   Or, what about smiling intently at someone that looks as if they’re having a really bad day.  Just smile and let that smile linger to pierce their heart and leave a lasting impression on them the rest of the day.   Saying something nice to someone can go a long way, too.  If you see someone that looks as if they are struggling, give them a genuine compliment from your heart to theirs.

The point today is just to take action on this Tuesday.  Do something for someone without any thought of being repaid in any way, shape, or form.  Do it just because it’s in your heart to do for others.  Do it with the intention of brightening up someone else’s day.

If you have someone that you have been thinking of that you haven’t reached out to in a while, do it today.  Let them know you’re thinking of them.   You don’t have to have a lengthy conversation with them, just a simple “Thinking of you” will do.  If you’d like to go into more detail, then by all means, do!

As I think about the “good ole days,” I recall the times when I’d take a letter out of the mailbox and allow my fingers to feel the different textures of the paper while visualizing the person sitting at their desk writing as carefully as they could to leave a lasting impression with their penmanship.   It felt good to receive a hand written letter back then.  Now with texts and emails, it’s rare to get a hand written letter.   How about taking the time to write to someone today?   Go ahead, you know you can find some paper and a pen … now use it!   Pour yourself into what you’re writing, and imagine how your words will leap off of the page and touch the heart of the recipient!

If there is someone that you may have wronged in the past that you need to ask forgiveness of, why not take action now toward a possible reconciliation?   You may not have control of how the other person will perceive your apology or the intentions behind such, but what you do have control of is yourself and how you can reach out to them at this time.   All you can do is apologize and ask for forgiveness, and it will be up to the other person if they will grant this forgiveness.   If you sincerely apologize and mean it with your whole heart, hopefully the other person will feel it and will give your apology serious thought.    It is our hope that they will accept your apology and the relationship can be mended.  It may not be exactly like it was before whatever took place to cause the falling out between you, but it simply won’t get any better if you refuse to address it.   Take action and reach out to ask for forgiveness.

We want to encourage you to take some form of action today toward a better life, a better you, a better bond in your relationships.   If your prayer life hasn’t been what it should have been all of this time, take action by being intentional with your prayers and reaching out to God.  Don’t just go to Him when you’re in trouble.  He’s there and wants you to seek Him even when the sun is shining brightly in your life.

Take Action Tuesday is brought to you by the Encouragement Team at Light Love Hope.

Finding Freedom In Our Stories

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I love being a part of the (in)courage community.  At a time when I felt at my absolute lowest, these group of ladies stepped in and filled a large void in my life.  When I was hurting, they were there waiting to offer beautiful words of support to soothe my aching heart.   They were prayer warriors standing in the gap for me and my family.

As time marched on, I was given the opportunity to serve as an (in)courager!  I had a chance to give back to ladies around the globe.   This was huge for me to come full circle like this.   Now it was MY turn to love, support, encourage, and pray for precious ladies that became a part of the (in)courage community.

One thing this community has made clear from the very start is that everyone has a story, and everyone’s story matters!   It truly does.   I have found such freedom in being able to share my story, and just as we’ve tried to always do here at Light Love Hope, we want you to share your story as well!   We know that there are times that things just hurt, and to share your story would mean to touch that hurt once more.   We shy away from re-hashing the gory details because of the pain involved.  We have already experienced it one time, surely re-living it will only intensify the pain, we think.  However, there is an overwhelming amount of freedom that comes in sharing our stories.  It releases the hold that the pain of the past has on us.   Yes, we have to walk through the pain to get through the other side, but once you do this, guess what?  You are a survivor!   You have not only survived, but you’ve thrived!

When you once felt like all you had was a great, big mess, God has taken your mess and has made such a powerful message out of it.

Think of the impact that telling your story could have on others around you.  Maybe you have felt so alone in what you’ve had to endure on your journey, but you know what?  I’d be willing to bet that you’re NOT alone and that someone somewhere right this very minute needs to hear your story!   Telling your story, sharing all of the details, will release the hold it has on you, and it will also help someone that needs to hear that they’re not alone, you’ve felt this way, too, you’ve struggled, you’ve cried, you’ve  prayed, pleaded, begged, and have even gotten angry at times, but you’ve lived to tell about it … and they can, too!   If they only hold on a little longer, a little tighter.  If they only grab a hold of your hand, you’ll help them … even if all you can do is listen, pray with them, and pray for them.  That is something right there that is so very powerful!

I read a quote a few weeks ago that touched me because it rings true!   I even put it on my Facebook page as a status update because I love things that make you think but also that encourages and helps you along this path.

When you can tell your story and it no longer hurts, you know you have healed.  ~Anonymous

There is such power in these words.  Yes, it hurts to tell your story initially, but in doing so, it is helping you to heal.  It encourages others struggling with the very same thing, and your story gives others hope!

When once your story was almost completely emotionally crippling to tell, you have walked the path, and on your journey you have armed yourself with faith, love, hope, and your greatest weapon has been prayers to your Almighty God above!   Now you can tell your story without the gripping pain in and through your heart, and in doing so, you find such sweet freedom from what once held you hostage.

All of the writers here at Light Love Hope and everyone at (in)courage stands behind you supporting you and holding you up as you find your brave courage to speak up and speak out as you share your story and find such incredible freedom!

Together we are finding freedom in our stories!

Read my story by clicking here.

Finding Freedom In Our Stories

Exhale

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Five Minute Fridays begin a little earlier now for all the eager ones, like myself!   The prompt word is posted at 10 p.m. on Thursday nights to allow us to get a head start.  This week’s word is:  EXHALE

Ready?

Set?

GO!

Confusion and chaos has been our life for months on end now.   We have struggled, cried, prayed, begged, and pleaded with God, and each other.  Relying on our own strength has not gotten us very far at all.  It has never been more evident that our source of strength should come from God above … our strength should be in the Lord.

We have held our breath as we’ve tried to do this alone.  At times we have felt like we would surely die, the pain was so great.     We have been disillusioned, believing the lies of the devil.  He would like nothing more than to destroy our lives, our marriage, our family.   He whispers the most awful things, and we believe the king of lies, deceit and betrayal.  He wreaks havoc on us while throwing his head back laughing as evilness flows from his forked tongue.   We fall on our knees, face down, sobbing uncontrollably as he digs his pitch fork into our hearts.  Then God steps in front of us and shields us from a fatal blow to our hearts.  He extends His arms wide, like when He was on the cross, as He says, “These are MY children, and you will NOT hurt them any more!”   He stares the devil right in the eyes, and evilness has no choice but to slither back to where it came from.   Our Father has protected us once more, sheltering us with His love, shielding us with His strength, arming us with the power to go on.

And so, we do, as we slowly exhale all of the pain, the heartache, the overwhelming hurt that has been our companion for way too long now.   We exhale the sorrow, shedding the old ways we’ve been living and inhale His power, His strength, His love.  We feel His hand upon our lives even stronger now than before, and we know that we are going to be okay.

If God is for us, who could be against us?

STOP!

Exhale - Light Love Hope

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The Trap of The World Wide Web

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I am sure that we will all agree that a lot of good comes from the World Wide Web.  Friendships are formed between people who are miles and miles away.   The internet is able to connect us to people in places of the country that we’d otherwise never be able to visit, yet now we are able to communicate with these wonderful people any time of the day or night.  They are right there within our reach every time we turn on our computer, smartphones, or tablets.   I have met so many wonderful people online, and we have remained friends for going on 20 years now.  Seriously!   I have friends in Arizona, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, and Australia just to name a few places a little further on the map than I.   These friendships have brought me so much joy and happiness through the years, and I treasure and cherish each person that has taken the time to get to know me and my family.

The internet has a wealth of information available as well.  If you have a research paper due or need to know this or that, the internet brings all of the information to you with just a few clicks.

There is even counseling available online.  If you’d rather not speak to someone in person or feel you need assistance right away, someone is there waiting to respond once you reach out.  While I haven’t personally explored this avenue, with my time at (in)courage, I have been made aware of services offered through E-counseling.

When used the right way, the internet is a wonderful tool to bring delightful messages right to your inbox every single day.   What an amazing feeling it is to open your email in the morning to find messages awaiting.  Do you smile as wide as I do when you hear from your family and friends?   I actually get disappointed if there isn’t a personal email waiting for me.  I enjoy forwarded jokes, cartoons, and inspirational messages, but nothing beats a personal email packed full of details of the other person’s life!  Just knowing that they took the time to share all of this with me … it just warms my heart and brings a smile to my face.  I love when people share with me, and it makes me feel so much closer to them!

Unfortunately, there are bad things that come from the internet as well.  With a few clicks of the mouse, even the youngest child can stumble upon pornographic material.  It doesn’t even have to be by visiting an x-rated website either.  They can just innocently enter in a word in the search engine and have a bunch of garbage come up.   This material is lurking in corners of the internet that we would never even dream about (I was just told that it’s on YouTube as well – oh my gosh!), and it’s so readily available (I still haven’t recovered from the shock yet!).   This type of thing has wreaked havoc in people’s lives.   There are people that search for this type of material for their viewing pleasure.  They become addicted and obsessed with it, and it ruins marriages!   The habit is hidden from their spouses, but once they stumble upon it in the history or various other ways that the secretive online activity is discovered, hurt and betrayal is sure to be felt by the wounded spouse as more lies and deceit are uncovered.

The internet is a valuable tool, and a lot of good things can come from the internet or the world wide web. However, be careful little eyes what you see. Evil lurks in corners of the internet as well.   Don’t fall for the trap of the world wide web!  Once it lures you in, it’s hard to get untangled from the sticky little web of lies, deceit, and betrayal!

Another of the bad things lurking on the internet are people who are not what they claim to be or who misrepresent themselves.   There are sick people on the internet that prey on young people.  I have had to speak to my oldest daughter in previous years about this very thing.  She was so young and innocent that she just could not grasp the dangers of the internet.  She wants to see the good in people at all times and can’t imagine any one ever doing anything bad.   She has a heart of pure gold, and she cares for people.   I have been so afraid of her “meeting” people that would draw her in and then later she’d learn that they weren’t who they said they were after all.   I can’t caution her enough on this even still at her age now.

There are other dangers such as getting close to emotional vampires who you honestly try to save with all of your might only to find that you did not possess that kind of power.  Sure, this type of thing often happens in real life with people face-to-face, but it can and does happen via the internet as people reach out to talk to others that they don’t have to see every single day of their lives.  They feel a special connection and special bond so much that they pour their hearts and souls out over emails and chats.   Beautiful friendships have been formed through things such as this, but really bad situations have resulted as well.  Take a suicidal person that is clinging to you with all of their might, yet you’re not trained in this area to help them.  They won’t talk to anyone else, and you are their life line at that moment in time.  You do everything you can, and yet you aren’t sure if they are safe or if they will try to harm themselves when you are forced to turn off the computer after spending hours trying to reason with them.   Or, what about the cutter that is not really trying to kill themselves, but they just hurt so badly that they harm themselves in this way to release some of the emotional pain they are feeling?   How do you know the difference?   You worry, fret, pray, and cry over all of this, and then eventually even the most positive and upbeat person can end up being grabbed a hold of and pulled down with them much like the drowning person that you’re trying so desperately to save.  You swim with all of your might holding on to them as tightly as you can, yet with them in a panic with their arms around your neck, they push you further down until both of you end up hitting bottom.

Affairs get started online.   The emotional connection I spoke of earlier, well, that can be a great thing … or it can be a curse.   If you start thinking the grass is greener on the other side with a person that you are so connected with, someone who you may feel more connected to even more so than your spouse … you’re in trouble!

There are dating sites which are supposed to be used for singles to find someone to go out with.   However, how many married men and women lurk on those sites looking for an extra marital affair?   The same can be said for Facebook and other social media sites, though, if you are using them in the wrong way.  I’ve heard of people getting on there and reconnecting with their past loves from their high school or college days.

How about the bullying that goes on from people hiding behind the computer screen?  They feel braver typing words on a screen, and they blast people left and right.   However, cyber bullying is very real and very much punishable!   Use Facebook and other social media channels responsibly!

The point in this post is to enjoy the internet but please be so very careful with your usage so as to avoid the trap of the world wide web!    If you’re using it for good things such as connecting with like minded women with sites such as (in)courage, Good Morning Girls, Women Living Well, or Time Warped Wife, that is wonderful!   If you’re using it to visit blogs such as this which offer inspiration and encouragement, that is incredible, and we hope you’ll visit often!   If you’re looking up bible verses and all things good and honorable, more power to you!   Just be careful not to fall into the trap of the world wide web in viewing pornographic material, engaging in cyber sex, entertaining affairs of any kind, bullying others or any other negative and damaging thing that could come from the internet.  Use it for GOOD, as it was intended.

You may think that no one will ever know what you look up when you’re wasting time online.  Ah, that’s where you’re wrong.  Someone does know other than you … and that person is GOD!  He sees all, and He knows your every thought … even the not so pretty ones that you’d love to hide from Him.  It’s just not possible, for He knows every little thing, your sins that you think are hidden, your lustful thoughts, the things you think you’re doing in private where no one will know … He’s there … He’s a witness to all of your activities – good or bad – honorable or sinful – respectful or lacking in morals and values.

Just as you’ve heard people say to find the good in each day, find the good on the internet!  Focus on all of the good things that you can find online, and stay away from the bad!   Don’t get caught in the trap of the world wide web!

 

Lost

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There was once a time I felt safe and secure in your love.   When I used to get lost in your eyes, I’m getting lost now in wondering who you are.  For years we’ve lived this wonderful life on the outside appearing to be the most perfect couple, and everyone commented about how much you love me and how perfect our little family was.   Now I’m left wondering if after the dust has settled if we’ll even be a family at all.

I try to be a good person and do the right thing.  I’ve prayed and asked for guidance from God, and for months now I’ve heard:  “Be still …” and so I have.   As I stand in the mist of the storm raging around me, I’m getting knocked around and knocked down.   Yet each time, I get back up and try again.   Each blow that comes leaves me breathless and weak, yet through my tears, I whisper my love for you and what has been lost and know that it can be found again in each other if that is what we truly want.

I feel surrounded by lies, deceit and betrayal, and I don’t know how to get out of this pit.   I run to the far side and scream wondering if anyone hears me, can anyone come rescue me now?   No one answers, and so I run to the opposite end and cry, reaching up with all of my might for someone to hold on to in order to pull me out of this pit of depression that I’ve been living in.

And then as I fall to my knees, crumbling to the ground, as I lay there sobbing, my Jesus wipes away my tears and picks me up into His strong arms to carry me out of the darkness and into the light.  His light.   I don’t have to feel lost any more.  He has found me.   He has rescued me.   When lies fall all around me, He is truth.   When I feel unloved, He wraps me in His unconditional love.

For once I was lost, but now I’m found.

 

 

Hope Is Real

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Recently my daughter wrote a post about an organization called To Write Love On Her Arms.  We purchased some of their merchandise and have been proudly wearing their shirts.   The ones we like the best are the ones that say “You’re Not Alone” and “Hope Is Real.”    We have gotten a few double takes as people have seen us walking around with these messages.  We feel they are messages that people every where need to see, hear, and feel!

How many times have you felt alone in this cold, cruel world?   How many would admit feeling hopeless in various different situations?   I think, if we are honest with ourselves, we have all had these feelings at some point in our lives.   That is why I’m here to tell you today and every day, as long as you need a little encouragement and support along your journey, that you matter!  You are enough!   You mean the world to someone and may not even realize it.   You are not alone as God is right there beside you walking every step of the way, and when you feel at your lowest point or your absolute weakest, that is when God will carry you the rest of the way.

When I lost my sister almost 13 years ago, I did not see how I would ever be able to go on without her.   I felt like the entire world crashed down around my feet.   I could barely breathe and found myself asking how do I go on?   It was one of the hardest things to ever face for our family.   There were times that I felt so incredibly alone and so hopeless, but I had family and friends that came alongside of me to remind me that they were there, they loved me, and we would get through this together.   We all had questions that went unanswered around her death, and it pains us to this very day what happened and the circumstances leading up to her taking her own life.   I’m sure at that moment, she felt incredibly hopeless and was filled with such feelings of loneliness and despair.  Oh how I wish I could have helped her.  I wish I could have saved her.   I wish she would have turned to me in her darkest hours to let me help her through this.

We all have problems in this life.  They seem all consuming at times, and it is hard to think rationally when our heads are spinning as things continue to be hurled at us.  What I wish I could have expressed to my sister is how much I love her, how valuable she was to her family, and how much she truly did matter.

Just recently our family encountered problems, and we struggled.   I felt almost the same identical feelings crash into me this time just as I had experienced almost 13 years ago.  The situation was somewhat different, yet the grief familiar.  To be honest, our family is still struggling through some very difficult issues.  It’s hard to face what has become your reality.   You always hear of things happening, but it’s always to other people.  Surely this can’t be happening to US!  But, it is.   In the face of great difficulty, it’s so easy to just throw your hands in the air and give up.  That would be the easy way out.  Yet, we refuse to do that!   Anything worth having is worth fighting for.   You just don’t quit when the going gets tough.  That is when you hold on tighter and with all of your might.  The best thing to hold on to in this life is each other!

I was told this past week by a friend that I just refuse to give up until I have exhausted every measure, every avenue … and you know what?   That is a very true statement.   I refuse to give up.   I will do whatever it takes because the person involved is worth it.  We are worth it.  Our family is worth it.  Our children are worth it.   Our lives are intertwined, and I believe that HOPE IS REAL for us … for you … for any one out there struggling, no matter the situation or circumstances!  Hope is real!  I believe it with my whole heart.  So, no, I won’t give up until I know that I have tried absolutely EVERYTHING, and then and only then will I throw in the towel.   It’s not over … it’s only just beginning.   Life is worth living, people are worth loving, and hope is worth hanging on to!

When all else fails and you don’t know what to do … pray!   Believe that God is working this situation out for His good, for His honor, and His glory … believe that God has plans for us … plans to give us a hope and a future.

HOPE IS REAL!   I believe it with my whole heart.

 

 

Release

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I always enjoy Five Minute Friday and the writing prompts provided by Lisa Jo.  Today’s word is: Release.

Ready?

Set?

Go!

There comes a time in your life where you have to stop holding things in.  To heal, it is necessary to reveal, to come clean, to admit your shortcomings and faults.  In doing so, you release the hold that it has over you.  For so long you’ve been a prisoner.  You have been locked inside your prison cell of your own making, suffering in silence, surrounded by lies.  You’ve been unable to progress, unable to heal, and unable to forgive.  In all of this, you’ve been unable to feel as well.  The pain was so great that you became numb, and yet, you held on to it so tightly, almost with all of your might.  Once you decided that enough was enough and you came clean with those around you … with the most important person being yourself … you slowly saw the binds that held you releasing you.  The chains of this addiction could hold you no longer.  You, yourself, held the key to release yourself from this self made prison, and you did it.  You faced your fears.   You took a good, hard look in the mirror and confessed.  You, then, took it further and confessed to those closest to you as well, and in doing so you are crushing the enemy.  The one that wants to keep you locked away forever in this hell, you’re saying, “No more!”   You, yourself, have taken away the power that it held on you.  You are fighting with everything in you to be a better person, to do the right thing, to come clean once and for all.  It takes a lot of strength to do what you’re doing.   Your determination does not go unnoticed.  You are fighting this with everything in you – fighting for your life, your marriage, your family, your dignity, your self worth, for your own self respect … and you are winning!   You have taken back the power that this addiction held over you.   It cannot harm you any more.   You are strong.  You are determined.  You are a fighter.  You are a survivor.  You have found such a sweet release from the prison that you’ve known for so long.  It’s time to turn it all over to God and trust that He will see you through this.

Un-forgiveness has plagued you, tormented you, harassed you, haunted you, entrapped you.

I forgive you.

Now it is time for you to forgive yourself.

Release the chains that bind you to that lifestyle.

Rise above it all.

You are a prisoner no more.

 

STOP!

 

 

 

Poetry150

Listen

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Listen to Him calling
Softly now then more intense
Calling out after you
In the night

He wants you
All of you
Your perfect imperfections
Your beautiful flaws

Feel Him wipe away
Your sins
The moment
You utter the words

Barely a whisper
As the words fall from your lips
He listens
With His heart

And takes you
Into His arms
Wiping the slate clean
Once and for all.

You are forgiven
My child
Go and
Sin no more.

Be Still

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When troubles come into your life and you’re not sure what to do, where to turn, and who to run to …

When the eye of the storm is coming right for you …

As the world spins out of control at times around you …

Just be still …

Be still and know that He is God.

Say it with me …

“BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!”

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

TRUST it … BELIEVE it …

Tuck those promises away in your heart.

They aren’t just any ole promises … they are God’s promises!

Hear Him calling to you now:

Be still and know that I am God!

Five Minute Fridays: Messenger

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We have a special guest post for today’s five minute Friday from Susan:

Messenger

We have a new messenger at our house. Who would have known this docile corgi/shepherd mix would eventually be the one to alert us of impending doom? This morning I awoke to Oreo barking ferociously to let me know a man was in the far back, behind the fence, a safe distance away. This man was a dear friend returning our tractor to us–but it was a man! A man, not a woman. I suppose women could break into our home unannounced. But if a man comes near the property, we know. Even when Daddy or brother come home, we now know. I don’t know what misfortune must have happened to this wonderful best friend before we rescued him from the Humane Society, but whatever evil may have been done was done from a man. Oreo has been with us over a year and a half, but this new job as the messenger of men is somewhat sudden. He has learned (or taught himself, really) that he needs to tell us when some new male is in the area. This is convenient in the case of UPS or FedEX, because the house is long and I hate to miss a package. Our messenger of men is also the messenger of love. He has a weird thing we call a smile. When he’s excited to see us, he smiles and nods his head–and usually sneezes several times. He doesn’t do this to anyone he doesn’t like, so that’s given me a great judge of character from my dog’s point of view…as well as loving sneezes.

Susan

Two Are Better Than One

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Have you ever really thought about it?  At times you can feel so alone in this cold and cruel world.  I heard an older gentleman talking just tonight about how people just do not care for their fellow man any more.  He said they do not love, they do not care for, and they do not value another human being’s life in the age we are living in today.  How incredibly sad and heart breaking!  His words echoed my thoughts just a few short months ago, though, as it was what I was feeling at the time.

There are plenty of people in this world that will let you know in a single minute that you are not important to them.  They will tear you down so fast with the words that come out of their mouth.  Their attitudes toward you also speaks volumes.

I want you to know, though, that you DO matter … to me … to God … to your friends and family, even if they fail miserably at times in letting you know this very important fact.

You DO matter … and you are loved more than you can ever imagine.

God loves you with a completely unconditional love.

We, as humans, often times place restrictions and conditions on our love. Why is that? Well, if you do this or that, you’ll have my love … no, it should not work this way. Love should not be based on any condition or any thing you do … love just IS! And it is so beautiful!

Nothing could ever compare to the love you receive from your family and friends.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

Often times we are busy pushing those away from us that just want to show us love. If we allow the love, we set ourselves up to be hurt. When we open ourselves up to love, that is when we are most vulnerable. While all of these things are true … love is worth the risk involved.

Allow someone to enter into the chambers of your heart, to love you, and to help you up today, for two are better than one.

Memories of The Way We Were – Part II

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Not too long ago, I wrote a post entitled Memories of The Way We Were.  I spoke of how I was scanning in pictures for a family from some very old scrapbooks and photo albums, some dating back to 1918!  At the time of that writing, I had no idea that there would be a Part II … until this past week!   I was called back to this gentleman’s house to scan in letters – boxes and boxes of letters!   And these letters told great stories … heart touching stories … some even heart wrenching stories.

Berlin ,1953

Imagine seeing that little piece of history laying right before you!   These particular letters were written in German, and oh how I wish I could have read them.   I can only imagine the stories that they offered from that point in time.

Among the letters were documents from this gentleman’s time in the war.   There were forms that he had to complete prior to enlisting, and then there were the necessary forms after enlisting such as a will.  One would not think of a teenager needing a will, but the military made sure that all of their bases were covered.    The gentleman’s history and physical were among the forms in the file, as well as “official” paperwork from the government.   Confidential, privileged, top secret information … laying right there at my fingertips.   It was absolutely amazing to me.

As I told in the previous post, I know the family, although I clearly did not know this gentleman as I wasn’t even a thought back in 1953.   Having worked with the family for almost ten years, though, I have come to know the names that I saw in some of the files and on the documents.  I’ve come to know the gentleman in pictures and now in letters.  Beautiful handwritten letters on the finest of paper that money could buy.
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