Tuesday, January 28, 2025

A Found Postcard

 

Sometimes our lives touch someone we've never met and may never meet.

That happened today. My husband just came back from walking our dog Sherlock. He had a book No Time for Goodbye which he had retrieved from a kiosk where people leave books that they've read and want to pass on. 

Most kiosk books are in French, but we prefer English if it's available. I thumbed through the novel. Inside, I found a card with a handwritten message from Sally, her London address and a message to Carl and a name I couldn't read. 

The card was dated 21st September '08. Sally's London address was printed on the top of the card.

Having done a handwriting analysis course a lifetime ago, I noticed the pointed m's and n's which is said to be the sign of intelligence. There was neither a slant left indicating a person is not very emotional nor right which could mean the writer was very emotional. Sally had written:

"I enclose two books, which I hope you will enjoy – very easy reading. The Swedish one is part of a trilogy which we have all enjoyed reading.
"We have at last got sunshine for 3 days but it won’t last. We have had the worst summer on record – which is depressing. It somehow makes the winter that much longer.
"I hope you and Paul enjoy your course it will do you both a lot of good. I do hope Paul is feeling better.
"Much love to you both Sally

Curiosity, some would call it nosiness, overcame me. 
  • Who was Sally?
  • Did she still live in London?
  • Who were Carl and Paul?
  • What course were they taking?
  • Was the Swedish trilogy the one by Steig Larsson?
  • Did the address still exist?

The writer in me decided to write Sally.

Dear Sally : 

My husband just came back from walking our dog Sherlock with a book, No Time for Goodbye. Inside I found a card with your address and a message to your friends Carl and Ha (I think that’s the name). My husband had found the book in one of those kiosks outside a boulangerie.  

I added the photo of the kiosk and copied the message on the card before continuing. 

Of course, you may have moved long ago. Your card is dated 21 September ’08, well over a decade ago. From the warmth of the note and if you are still at the same address, I hope this brings back a pleasant memory.

Tomorrow, I will drop it in the mail. Do I expect to ever get an answer? Probably not. Maybe someone will be at that address and open the envelope. I can imagine any number of reactions. 

No matter what.

Today I peeked into the lives of Sally, Paul and Carl. May they all be well and happy.






No comments: