These lovely jewels have been tucked away in my favorite book. I am a card-keeper. Oh, not all cards. But the ones that mean much to me. Some of these cards I had hidden in my Bible so that I could carry them closely.
There is a birthday card from my grandma who passed away years ago. It was the last one I received from her, and it wasn't even in her hand. She asked my mom to write for her because her hands were too swollen. She died a few days later.
It has resided alongside a much more recent card from my Pocahontas . . . a card written to let me know what I mean to her. Priceless to me.
There are many more that I've sheltered between the pages of the Ultimate Letter . . . precious words tucked between Living Words. But it's time to move them to a new home -- the larger treasure chest in my bedroom where I keep very special things. It holds the stockings my mom made for us to hang at Christmas; the quilts from a great-grandmother that I'm not currently displaying; my boys' tiniest baby clothes. Plus many other cards and letters too dear to me to let go of: love letters from my husband, cards with encouraging words from friends and family over the years. Words that have reminded me I am loved, have helped me to press on, to continue doing right, to persevere. And every time I peer into the chest, it's an opening of gifts and memories and encouragement. Treasures.
In this day of quick comments and Facebook updates that are easy and helpful in their own way (but not nearly so lasting), please let me give you a little nudge. May I gently push you in the direction of that desk that holds your pretty paper and your favorite writing pen? Your words just may be "apples of gold in settings of silver" to someone.
Write riches to one you love or to one who could use some encouragement. Write your heart for them to drink in with their eyes, hold in their hands, and tuck away to treasure again and again.
