This one goes out to the ones I love

 In a likely misguided attempt to simplify my life and my possessions, I've decided I must part with my old letters.  But before I can do that, I'm reading them - reading every line - one last time.  I'm reading the letters from friends and family in 1979 and 1980.  You see, I kept them- I kept them all.  I kept the scribbled notes from my mother on her lunch break.  I kept my grandmother's observations of life on her farm...what was blooming and who was singing in the trees. I kept the silly letters written by my crazy, wonderful friends as we started our lives "adult" lives away from "home".  I kept the love letters.  They are all love letters.

I kept them all and I'm reading them all.  My heart aches. All those people I loved- with love so intense and pure and fresh like a paper cut.  I'd give anything to go back for just an hour and hold those beautiful people with their hopes and joys and laughter and tears and tell them.  Tell them that 45 years from that moment, I'd be re-reading their letter and loving them.  I've lost so many of those people who shaped me and held me.  I still have your words in envelopes that cost 15 cents to mail me.  Hundreds, probably.  I'll keep a few.  I just can't let you go. 

I loved you then.  I love you still.  I will always love you.  I miss you immeasurably. Be well. Be happy. Peace to you my friends.