PM Dawn - I'd Die Without You

How To Be Alone

Dear Wana,

I don’t remember the last time I received a letter. Sealed envelope, a stamp, well sketched handwriting (always had to be your best writing), I even had a bright red kiss stamp on one – such glorious days long gone, the days before email happened and text messages rudely took over.

I remember with smiles, my best letter ever. It was from my brother and I was all alone and miserable in a boarding school. My brother, he is a miracle! He took out a dictionary and spent a whole night writing me a most famous letter.  

The Mail Attendant arrived with a bulk of letters to my class – JS 2 E and I decided to practice an exercise on faith that I had only learnt the Sunday before. Just before hope failed me, I heard my name announced and I did my best not to look surprise, rushed on forward to get the letter, I would have literally wept if it was a mistake – not mine.

How I felt like a Princess- someone thought of me me and wrote me a letter! Close to my class seat, I tore it open and unfolded it hungrily, my eyes dived straight to the sender’s name –and it was my brother.

The letter was short and the most memorable I have ever read till date. I did not understand even two sentences of the famous letter at the time – such lines as ‘...the skyrocketing menace of our Nation’s economy is precipitous..” How the Nation’s economy affected my 9 year old brother, I guess I’ll never know.

It didn’t matter anyway, the words from him were precious, hilarious and so heartfelt – I cried all the way! He ended the letter in a much ordinary note, in his exact words- the words I can never forget  “...the house is empty because of you – empty.”

That letter gave me an unquantifiable joy – the kind I can never explain - It was thoughtful, totally unexpected and it made me believe again. It was an act of charity and it “saved” me!

There are many things that tug at our heartstrings...a lot of them bear the simple thoughtfulness of another who recalls your kind act of six (6) years ago and called you up just to thank you again, or how you said a prayer during another person's dark night...

There is always a blessing in the love we share. Unreserved, unadorned simple acts of love will never ever grow old fashioned. That kind that smiles cheerfully and with gratitude at a nanny who works the whole day and all through the week with silent, hopeful thoughts that she alone bears; the kind that seeks out the frown in an unadorned colleagues and tells him he is a joy to have around...that kind that blows a kiss at another who is hungry for a word of affection – such give-aways always on non – promo days - these are joys that bless the day and turn the dull routine of others into their miracles.

So I urge you to write a note today – an unreserved one to someone who has added colour to your existence...better still,  add colour to another person’s day with a sweet little note of love - It will illuminate the world!