Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving night



Dear Mom & Dad

Arrived safely — no fog or smog on the way back. Arrived at 11:00. Kim has taken the car over now. Knew you would worry so thought I’d just let you know were safe & sound.

Let us know how youre coming back. Here’s the Greyhound schedule if you need it. Be waiting for you.

Love,

Kim and Nina [?]

Found in a book in a secondhand store. The joking reference to smog makes me think this letter might date from the 1960s or ’70s (though the word smog was around long before then). Think of it: a world in which you assured someone that you had arrived safely by writing a letter.

I’m especially thankful today for the roof over my head (new shingles) and the other three people under that roof — Elaine, Rachel, and Ben. We’re together for a few days for the first time in several months. Happy Thanksgiving, family. Happy Thanksgiving, Mom, Dad, Kim, and Nina [?]. And Happy Thanksgiving to all.

comments: 3

Daughter Number Three said...

I love that note and what it represents about how written letters were used for purposes like this, even once the phone was completely common.

Thanks for this post and your blog in general.

Michael Leddy said...

Thanks, Daughter Number Three.

JuliaR said...

I used to write notes like that, back in the 70s. What was even better for me was getting them from my Mum, when I was a lost and lonely freshman at university. She somehow knew to write me at least once a week, sometimes more often, and finding those little envelopes in my mailbox in residence made my day. I wasn't homesick (I didn't really want to go home) but I valued seeing her calm, even handwriting appear on a letter.