Today is April 1st, 2011, celebrated around the world by jokes, pranks and general good humour that can go wrong. But what about mysterious happenings? I have the strangest story for you.
Low grade fevers returned a while ago, so yesterday found me at Addenbrooke's Hospital, having a blood test. Outside, I traipsed along with Mum on the way to the car. "Look at that beautiful plant!" says Mum. So I did. And it was, delicate, beautiful, so I stopped, to have a sniff. Mum walked on. Something in the earth beneath the shrub caught my eye. A letter, folded, bright green ink shining through. I looked around, self-consciously, and then (how could I resist a hand-written letter?!), I picked it up, unfolded it, and began to read. It was the final part, signed 'Glen xxx'. A quote by Pema Chödrön, the Buddhist nun, surprised and thrilled me.
"A good writer, Pema Chodron, says about meditation, "Let it be easy." Hmm. Then there's the earthquake, tidal wave etc. Don't know how I'll be able to engage with those who experienced that yet, but I lit a lot of candles yesterday. Always one for you."
I caught up with Mum. "What should I do? Hand it in? But to who?" We were standing near the entrance to Accident & Emergency. Who, in A&E, could possibly have the time or interest? Pondering this, I found my eye drawn again, to the foot of a big jeep parked two cars away from ours. A folded letter, handwritten, green ink shining through!! I looked into the eyes of the driver. He seemed oblivious. I knelt, and carefully curled my fingers around... part one.
"March 25.
Dear Amanda, I got back from Laos last night. I did have a really great time. First time in a tropical country. I stayed with a teacher in a village for 4 nights (no running water - mosquito nets - palm trees - and bizarrely a huge karaoke machine blowing out George Michael in the pouring rain). When I got back to Vientiane..."
Dear Glen, dear Amanda, I have your lost letter, and if by some mysterious interconnectedness you read this, know that I have kept, and will always try to keep, your letter safe. It rained on and off yesterday, yet not a drop of ink smudged. I looked around for you, either of you; I kept thinking someone would snatch the letter out of my hands with a fierce "That's mine, thankyou very much!" but nobody did...
I caught up with Mum. "What should I do? Hand it in? But to who?" We were standing near the entrance to Accident & Emergency. Who, in A&E, could possibly have the time or interest? Pondering this, I found my eye drawn again, to the foot of a big jeep parked two cars away from ours. A folded letter, handwritten, green ink shining through!! I looked into the eyes of the driver. He seemed oblivious. I knelt, and carefully curled my fingers around... part one. 
Wouldn't it be brilliant if they found their lost letters on your blog? I believe a camera once made it back to its owner via posting the images on Facebook with no name. I like that even in the digital world, there are still ink written letters and kind people with big hearts like you.
ReplyDeleteOur April Fool's joke is from nature: a huge snowstorm today - 6 to 10 inches.
I hope you are feeling better and the fevers are gone by now.
wonderful mystery!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
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Precious! The fact that it is safe in your care is a wondrous thing, nearly as wondrous as the flowers in spring. Bless your mum, too, for pointing out the plant.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better today.
It's like a clue in a Nancy Drew novel....did you read those as a child?...intriguing, for sure!
ReplyDeleteI did read Nancy Drew... and I did feel surreal, as though I were in a who-dun-it... without the crime, of course :)
ReplyDeleteThe clue is love... but what sort of love??
Sigh. How magical. Like Message in a Bottle. Isnt it wonderful to read real peoples' words and experiences? Better than anything anyone could make up. Cool quote from Pema, who is amazing.
ReplyDeleteA wondeful mystery indeed. A well told day, too.
ReplyDeleteFeeling better?
I miss your elephant.
Wow, the last scene of the movie Intersection came to mind.
ReplyDeletethat's kind of wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWhat a mystery, and such a private window into a strangers life. How could it have been forgotten?? Perhaps somehow Pema Chodron is being nudged into your life for a reason.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe its been so long since I came here... what a remarkable mystery, don't know if i'll be able to stop my imagination running around to all the Amandas and Glens in the world :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like a real like Sabine and Griffin!
ReplyDeleteI read this the day you posted it but then was caught up and away (as I often am) into other things. So I'm back today to make good & respond.
ReplyDelete"I lit a lot of candles yesterday. Always one for you."
Stories like this make good the cliche, truth is stranger than fiction. And good thing it is. (delightfully strange!)
May you find many more notes, oh, the intrigue!
Hey check out my blog medschooldream.blogspot.com. My cousin have the same auto-immune disorder, systemic lupus..
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