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A few weeks ago I came across a file with treasured letters that I kept. One from a niece, written in her first year at school, telling me how much she enjoyed my visit. Her handwriting a bit uncertain, some letters big, others a bit crooked! Letters from two nephews. They are brothers and they have the exact same handwriting. I was living in Thailand then which was a great novelty to them. Both were sharing about their school and their sport activities. I am sure they will have a good laugh when I show it to them one day.
Then the others from my Dad. How glad I am that I kept it. I sat down on the couch and tears were streaming down my cheeks as I read about his love for me, written in his beautiful handwriting!. You know, I don't think it matter that much when I first received it years ago - just another letter from my Dad, and of course he loves me. Somehow reading it again this time I was able to hear his heart, sense his mood, wishing I was closer to him, the excuses for getting older, apologizing for his handwriting that is becoming a bit shaky. He was so grateful to receive my letters and gifts. As I was reading one after the other it struck me that he was writing about my youngest brother's son all the time - how cute he is, about Johan's first day at pre-school and all the tears that went with it. How proud would he have been of Johan today, and what Johan accomplished in sport! My brother came to visit two weeks ago and together we went through the letters again. We laughed about my Dad's jokes, the way he ended the letters by always telling me to send greetings to everyone.... the everyones which he of course never met. 
I am so glad I kept these letters and it also made me want to write more handwritten letters. I have already wrote a few and they are on their way to SA. Dads, grandfathers, mothers, grandmothers..... write those letters to your children and grandchildren assuring them of your love. Maybe they will keep your letters too and treasure it later!
Thanks Dad for your love and these letters.......
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