I first learned of this book on our friend Coralie's blog. I thought this book sounded so interesting I had to check it out for myself. And the funny thing is that this book is written by two American authors. Why is this funny? Well, Coralie is French, and I read about this book after I translated dear Coralie's blog into English.
I checked my library, and sure enough, I was able to order this as an audio book from another library as an interlibrary loan. Once this audio book came, I listened to it while I stitched. Oh my goodness, what a wonderful book! This is a book about friendship. Two women who develop a long lasting, deep, wonderful friendship. All through the mail. That's right! They are pen pals during WWII. I was so touched. I was so inspired. I loved it. I had to email Coralie afterwards and tell her so.
Do you know that after my email I received a reply back from Coralie also? She was moved by my email as well! She wanted to know if it was possible if two women could possibly become friends and pen pals just as Gloria and Rita did many years ago? Can we do it now without texting. Without emailing? Just writing to each other? Maybe even share recipes and tips along the way as they did? Well I immediately answered her with a resounding YES!
And so we have begun.😊 We have each written. And will continue to do so. How neat is that?!
It's January 1943 when Rita Vincenzo receives her first letter from Glory Whitehall. Glory is an effervescent young mother, impulsive and free as a bird. Rita is a sensible professor's wife with a love of gardening and a generous, old soul. They have nothing in common except one powerful bond: the men they love are fighting in a war a world away from home. Brought together by an unlikely twist of fate, Glory and Rita begin a remarkable correspondence. The friendship forged by their letters allows them to survive the loneliness and uncertainty of waiting on the home front. Connected across the country by the lifeline of the written word, each woman finds her life profoundly altered by the other's unwavering support.
I have an update for you on our dear friend Scott. He had his surgery yesterday to remove his cancerous kidney. Yes, Scott's kidney was removed. So was his spleen, and 20-30% of his pancreas. In one month his cancer doubled. His surgery was successful. Scott now has a long road ahead. Oh friends. Let us surround this dear couple in prayer. Please do not forget that dear Jenny herself is fighting for her life with her own battle against breast cancer. Thank you. I pass on all these prayers and well wishes to Jenny. And she shares them all with Scott. They have told me time and time again how grateful they are for them. How much they mean to them.
🙏🙏🙏
I have something very different to share with you next time. I am almost done with it. I have been working at it this week. I just have the finishing to do. Nope. Not sharing details. I am keeping you guessing.😉 It is not cross stitch. Something I have been wanting to do for years now and finally said, "Now is the time. DO IT!"
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed my story of how Coralie and I became pen pals and are becoming true friends.💕 I appreciate you taking the time to comment. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. John 10:28
Stitching and praying,
Vickie
17 comments:
Hi Vickie,
Oh yes, that works. An example is the friendship with Manuela, we only know each other through blogging, met twice in person at a trade fair, write us very often. It is as if we were sisters, soulmates - a wonderful friendship arose.
I wish you and Carolie the same.
Hugs, Martina
I love your story about Coralie and your blossoming "pen pal" friendship!!!
Sounds like a wonderful book, and I love that you and Coralie are going to do the same as the heroines in the book! Good news on Scott's kidney. Continued prayers for all.
Thank you for the update on Scott's surgery! I loved reading your story of Coralie, the friendship book and this newly created friendship of yours. Enjoy your weekend, Vickie!
Thank you for keeping us updated on Scott and Jenny. I'm continuing to pray for this courageous couple.
What wonderful news for Scott and Jenny.
Linda
I am keeping Scott and Jennifer in my daily thoughts. As for long distance friendships….yes. I have had one of the best friendships with Debbie (a blog friend in Canada) daily, yes, daily emails for over a year. Actually when she first read about my Dennis having terminal CA and it has continued and we share our thoughts, projects, meals and recipes. She really helped me get through his passing. Friendship is in the heart.
How wonderful, Vickie! Letter writing is becoming a lost art so I know you will both anticipate and treasure your exchanges :)
How fun to receive actual letters! You two will have fun with it. I used to have a pen friend from Korea in middle school but that petered out after a few years. I secretly love stationery and have quite a collection of it! I think blogging friends are similar.
So good to hear the surgery was successful! I hope the recovery goes well too.
Love, love, love this particular Poodle Pic. That's wonderful artwork!
What a wonderful pen-pal idea. The world needs more of this. Scott needs to be brave and hang in their while our prayers support them both. My husband's daughter has been on Chemo for 3 years and she is still enjoying much of her life. She was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer 3 years ago.
Vickie, I love your story with Coralie. It will be a wonderful friendship. Can she write in English? You will have to learn some French terms to put into your letters now and then.
I have been praying non stop for Jenny, Scott and family. They are such wonderful people who will fight this horrible disease. I'm so happy that the operation was a success. Love you too for being such a good friend. RJ
Vickie it's a wonderful idea ,I still have a Pen Pals from years ago and I feel like I know them very well . It is always lovely to have letters and pretty cards and little gifts and postcards .
So beautiful story, Vickie! It is so wonderful to get a nice letter in the mail!
Jenny and Scott are in my thoughts.
I'm curious to know about your new project!
Writing letters is such a wonderful way to stay connected with friends from all over the world. I enjoyed reading about how your friendship with Coralie through letters began.
How lovely that you and Corali are now penpal friends. Jenny and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I think having a pen friend is a wonderful idea! Especially because it was inspired by the book you discovered together.
I actually like emails because I like to go back and read both sides of the conversation. When I used to write lots of letters, I always kept a photocopy of mine!
Good news about Scott and continued prayers for them both.
What fun to have a new pen friend! My Dad is still friends with his from his teenage years and they're in their late 70's now. She lives in NJ and we stayed with her when me moved to the states 49 years ago.
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