With recognition of Robert Frost’s poem.
Part of the eulogy for a funeral I conducted today featured a letter written by the deceased lady’s husband. (Who predeceased her, passing away in 2001.)
A photo copy of the original, hand written on air force paper stock, gives insight into life during the tumultuous times of World War 2, but also insight into life in general. (I’ve removed the names from the quote.)
It starts off well enough, but then takes an immediate turn:
Dear Mum & Dad, I hope you two are keeping well and that you received my wishes on your birthday.
There’s something I want to tell you, when I first came down here I met a girl and she is very nice. I love her and she loves me very much so I am going to marry her very soon, for I hope you and Dad will understand. I thought I liked [other girl] but I did not as much as I like this [name of girl he married]. I have no money and yet she is willing to marry me, that is what I call a girl, don’t you.
The rest of the letter seeks his parent’s understanding of the marriage and their acceptance of his bride.
They were to remain married for almost sixty years.
For this man, and his bride, the choice they made of a an alternate path made a huge difference.
I do wonder about that other girl, how her life turned out, and the difference that the new path upon which she travelled made to her.
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