goldie

When we lived in Texas in the 80’s we met Goldie.

Her husband had died not too long before we met her. He left her with a big double cab Chevy pickup that was larger than she wanted to drive, so often she would ask to be taken to church, or shopping occasionally.

She had the most wonderful disposition. She smiled a lot and was contagiously happy. I never asked her how old she was, but I guessed she was somewhere near 70.

Before we left Texas, Goldie moved to be close to a grand child in Arkansas, and we moved back to the north west. We have not seen her since.

But, every year, right after Thanksgiving, we get this card and hand written note from Goldie.

She is not doing well this year. But she does not really complain. She stated very matter of factly, that she has an open sore on her leg that requires a home health nurse to change the dressing on.

She talks about her grandchildren that we have never met, but that Goldie loves very much.

This time, her handwriting was particularly scratchy and uneven. She always had such wonderful penmanship.

I’ll write back a letter to her of course, and I won’t ask her age, but she has to be in her 90’s now, and as good a friend as ever. Each year we wonder if this is the last time we hear from her, this year is no exception.

We love you Goldie, thanks for being an inspiration to us!