The above letter written on 3.2.1971 to a friend was passed on to another person unknown to me, for him to consider the matter raised in the letter. That person who was requested to reply to me, did so on 10.3.1971. That letter below was the beginning of a friendship for several years till he was called home three years ago.
It was in 2019 that we met last. He had by then handed my letter above to a common friend to hand it over to me. I referred to his reply to me and mentioned to him that I retained the letter he sent to me as a memoir !
The two letters above carry a history of 52 years, till this friend moved on, after a life well lived in caring and serving others.
There was an occasion for recollection of the story of this friendship two days ago and relive some of our shared experiences as we have had regular contacts with each other during those years with frequent contacts until he went to live overseas in 1977.
A reflection of this long years of friendship reminded me of the way it evolved into a fellowship of communication at the heart level. The gracious listening and thoughtful responses he practiced touched my life ever since the first time I met him.
A resonance of this memory is the 'call' of life he passed on to me. His call to me was 'to be a pilgrim' while being in the journey of life! Recently when a Magpie Robin gave its bird calls from the garden in front of our cottage, looking in the direction where I was seated, I felt reminded of the call of this friend, 'to be pilgrim' !
What a joy it is to have had a friend who showed the way to live the earthly journey! That call is still a desire! Although it is yet to be an authentic interior reality, I feel grateful for him to have pointed and initiated Anna and me in this way of living!
There are times in life, when one feels the resonances of the past of friends and friendships!
This season is one such occasion to remember this friend and his investment in our lives!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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