True Love Conquers All · Follow Posted by Bethany Fletcher May 5
♥️ A LETTER IN THE LOST WALLET!!♥️
As I walked home one freezing day, I stumbled on a wallet someone had lost in the street.
I picked it up and looked inside to find some identifications I could call the owner. But the wallet contained only three dollars and a crumpled letter that looked as if it had been in there for years.
The envelope was worn and the only thing that was legible on it was the return address. I started to open the letter, hoping to find some clue.
Then, I saw the dateline--1924. The letter had been written 60 years ago.
It was written in a beautiful feminine handwriting on powder blue stationery with a little flower in the left-hand corner. It was a "Dear John"
letter that told the recipient, whose name appeared to be Michael, that the writer could not see him any more because her mother forbade it. Even so, she wrote that she would always love him.
It was signed, Hannah.
It was a beautiful letter, but there was no way except for the name Michael, that the owner could be identified. Maybe if I called information, the operator could find a phone listing for the address on the envelope.
"Operator," I began, "this is an unusual request. I'm trying to find the owner of a wallet that I found. Is there anyway you can tell me if there is phone number for an address that was on an envelope in the wallet?"
She suggested I speak with her supervisor, who hesitated for a moment then said, "Well, there is a phone listing at that address, but I can't give you the number." She said, as a courtesy, she would call that number, explain my story and would ask them if they wanted her to connect me.
I waited a few minutes and then she was back on the line. "I have a party who will speak with you."
I asked the woman on the other end of the line if she knew anyone by the name of Hannah.
She gasped, "Oh! We bought this house from a family who had a daughter named Hannah. But that was 30 years ago!"
"Would you know where that family could be located now?" I asked.
"I remember that Hannah had to place her mother in a nursing home some years ago," the woman said. "Maybe if you got in touch with them they might be able to track down the daughter."
She gave me the name of the nursing home and I called the number.
They told me the old lady had passed away some years ago but they did have a phone number for where they thought the daughter might be living.
I thanked them and phoned. The woman who answered explained that Hannah herself was now living in a nursing home.
This whole thing was stupid, I thought to myself. Why was I making such a big deal over finding the owner of a wallet that had only three dollars and a letter that was almost 60 years old?
Nevertheless, I called the nursing home in which Hannah was supposed to be living and the man who answered the phone told me, "Yes, Hannah is staying with us. "
Even though it was already 10 PM, I asked if I could come by to see her.
"Well," he said hesitatingly, "if you want to take a chance, she might be in the day room watching television."
I thanked him and drove over to the nursing home.
The night nurse and a guard greeted me at the door.
We went up to the third floor of the large building.
In the day room, the nurse introduced me to Hannah.
She was a sweet, silver-haired old timer with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye.
I told her about finding the wallet and showed her the letter. The second she saw the powder blue envelope with that little flower on the left, she took a deep breath and said, "Young man, this letter was the last contact I ever had with Michael."
She looked away for a moment deep in thought and then said Softly, "I loved him very much. But I was only 16 at the time and my mother felt I was too young. Oh, he was so handsome. He looked like Sean Connery, the actor."
"Yes," she continued. "Michael Goldstein was a wonderful person. If you should find him, tell him I think of him often. And," she hesitated for a moment, almost biting her lip, "tell him I still love him. You know," she said smiling as tears began to well up in her eyes, "I never did marry. I guess no one ever matched up to Michael..."
I thanked Hannah and said goodbye. I took the elevator to the first floor and as I stood by the door, the guard there asked, "Was the old lady able to help you?"
I told him she had given me a lead. "At least I have a last name. But I think I'll let it go for a while. I spent almost the whole day trying to find the owner of this wallet."
I had taken out the wallet, which was a simple brown leather case with red lacing on the side.
When the guard saw it, he said, "Hey, wait a minute That's Mr. Goldstein's wallet. I'd know it anywhere with that bright red lacing. He's always losing that wallet. I must have found it in the halls at least three times."
"Who's Mr. Goldstein?" I asked as my hand began to shake.
"He's one of the old timers on the 8th floor. That's Mike Goldstein's wallet for sure. He must have lost it on one of his walks."
I thanked the guard and quickly ran back to the nurse's office. I told her what the guard had said. We went back to the elevator and got on. I prayed that Mr. Goldstein would be up.
On the eighth floor, the floor nurse said, "I think he's still in the day room. He likes to read at night. He's a darling old man."
We went to the only room that had any lights on and there was a man reading a book. The nurse went over to him and asked if he had lost his wallet. Mr. Goldstein looked up with surprise, put his hand in his back pocket and said, "Oh, it is missing!"
"This kind gentleman found a wallet and we wondered if it could be yours?"
I handed Mr. Goldstein the wallet and the second he saw it, he smiled with relief and said, "Yes, that's it! It must have dropped out of my pocket this afternoon. I want to give you a reward."
"No, thank you," I said. "But I have to tell you something. I read the letter in the hope of finding out who owned the wallet."
The smile on his face suddenly disappeared. "You read that letter?"
"Not only did I read it, I think I know where Hannah is."
He suddenly grew pale. "Hannah? You know where she is? How is she? Is she still as pretty as she was? Please, please tell me," he begged.
"She's fine...just as pretty as when you knew her." I said softly.
The old man smiled with anticipation and asked, "Could you tell me where she is? I want to call her tomorrow." He grabbed my hand and said, "You know something, mister, I was so in love with that girl that when that letter came, my life literally ended. I never married. I guess I've always loved her. "
"Mr. Goldstein," I said, "Come with me."
We took the elevator down to the third floor. The hallways were darkened and only one or two little night-lights lit our way to the day room where Hannah was sitting alone watching the television. The nurse walked over to her.
"Hannah," she said softly, pointing to Michael, who was waiting with me in the doorway. "Do you know this man?"
She adjusted her glasses, looked for a moment, but didn't say a word.
Michael said softly, almost in a whisper, "Hannah, it's Michael. Do you remember me?"
She gasped, "Michael! I don't believe it! Michael! It's you! My Michael!"
He walked slowly towards her and they embraced. The nurse and I left with tears streaming down our faces.
"See," I said. "See how the Good Lord works! If it's meant to be, it will be."
About three weeks later I got a call at my office from the nursing home.
"Can you break away on Sunday to attend a wedding? Michael and Hannah are going to tie the knot!"
It was a beautiful wedding with all the people at the nursing home dressed up to join in the celebration. Hannah wore a light beige dress and looked beautiful. Michael wore a dark blue suit and stood tall. They made me their best man.
The hospital gave them their own room and if you ever wanted to see a 76-year-old bride and a 79-year-old groom acting like two teenagers, you had to see this couple. ❤️
👍
Syl said
May 16 12:19 PM, 2024
I wonder if any of us were reconnected with our first love, the one that broke your heart when, for whatever reason it ended, whether we would find love was still here?
My first real love, ended when I met my husband. I met him when I was 17, he was 28, so there was an age dffernce, but we did love one another.
Years ago a mutual friend got in touch, she said he had asked about me and would like to meet up...I thought it was just for old times sake, we had both moved on, so I said No.
A few weeks later I heard he had died. He probably just wanted to say a last goodbye.
Syl said
May 28 12:06 PM, 2024
Crazy Brits. The annual cheese rolling contest in Gloucestershire took place yesterday. People come from all over the world to compete. The cheese rolls at around 70mph, the chasers can get up to 40mph.
Magica said
May 28 12:31 PM, 2024
Syl wrote:
Crazy Brits. The annual cheese rolling contest in Gloucestershire took place yesterday. People come from all over the world to compete. The cheese rolls at around 70mph, the chasers can get up to 40mph.
I love it
jackb said
May 30 8:23 PM, 2024
I made my first ever phone post today in the weather thread. I swear word had gone round... he's got his phone with him! I'm trying to type trying to post the phone wouldn't stop ringing! I had to keep answering it. Not only did that annoy me to hell but the size of the screen and the layout... not for me. Plus I have fingers like sausages so really don't find typing on a phone at all comfortable or easy. I was actually amused by the fact it had taken me so long to do this thing but felt vindicated in why I haven't...
I knew it wouldn't be easy. But.... I will have another go... sometime.
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 03:13:27 AM
Maddog said
May 30 8:47 PM, 2024
jackb wrote:
I made my first ever phone post today in the weather thread. I swear word had gone round... he's got his phone with him! I'm trying to type trying to post the phone wouldn't stop ringing! I had to keep answering it. Not only did that annoy me to hell but the size of the screen and the layout... not for me. Plus I have fingers like sausages so really don't find typing on a phone at all comfortable or easy. I was actually amused by the fact it had taken me so long to do this thing but felt vindicated in why I haven't... I knew it wouldn't be easy. But.... I will have another go... sometime.
Won't be long until you're making TikTok videos of yourself bleaching your asshole. 😜
jackb said
May 30 10:41 PM, 2024
Here's a picture of me and one of my granddaughters who is about to become
six years old in a few days time.
She was a premmy baby and as soon as she came out she was whisked from Wales
to Liverpool in England
for an emergency operation on her brain and one on her stomach.
Trying times.
We were told it was inevitable that she would have some physical difficulties
probably down one side arm or leg or both but
she wouldn't be able to fully function on one side.
My daughter spent time everyday moving her massaging her exercising her
as soon as she got home and now
no one can find anything physically wrong with her!
She is perfect!
Mentally she is very different from her siblings in attitude and outlook but mental deficiencies?
No one can find any.
She has a passion and I mean a passion for music song and dance and never
stops asking questions about the differences in tone and colour and beat and rhythm.
She wants to know times and dates and the whyfores and wherefores of different kinds of music.
She is way ahead in reading writing arithmetic.
Her questions cannot always be answered by her teachers and they have said a special meeting is being called
as to whether or not to move her up to the next year up where her 7 year old sister is.
They are fierce friends and really look out for each other.
Her mum always asks in advance what kind of party they are wanting and of course this one wants music.
She's not six yet but has asked specifically for a DJ but not one of those scratchy loud ones.
So her mum phones around and finds a couple who know about doing old fashioned
DJaying for small children.
What kind of music will she be wanting?
First and foremost The Beatles!
OK any particular songs?
She wants to make an entrance to the song GIRL.
I've never heard that but it won't be a problem.
Second BLACKBIRD for her and her sister to sing on stage too.
On stage?
Yes we're hiring a village hall for her.
I've never heard of GIRL either but not a problem I'll have it.
BIRTHDAY off the white album.
OK.
She'll then want the Abbey Road tracks and the pop hits stuff starting with
BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR... PLEASE MISTER POSTMAN HELP SHE LOVES YOU and so on.
By this time the guy has said wow a number of times and she's not yet six!
There's also film and cartoon and modern pop stuff I know nothing of.
Then a couple of DOORS and STONES tracks were added and in her words the beautiful
NEIL YOUNG Harvest Moon tracks.
The guy said you're looking at a couple of hours at least here and possibly more but
are you being serious that this is her 6th birthday?
Yes and we blame her granddad!
The guy has been back in touch and said I hope you don't mind but
half my family and my wife's would like to come to the party are you OK with that and
we'll bring along lots of extra food for everyone?
My family... are saying ever louder what are you doing to these kids?
The DJ's request about his family took the heat down a little!
It's gonna be fun!
There's a few more 60's and 70's pop hits too.
-- Edited by jackb on Thursday 30th of May 2024 10:42:01 PM
-- Edited by jackb on Thursday 30th of May 2024 10:49:19 PM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:52:37 AM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:56:51 AM
Looks like your kids are like mine. They overcame our questionable parenting skills and became great parents. You can see it in your grand babies..
jackb said
May 31 12:18 AM, 2024
Maddog wrote:
Looks like your kids are like mine. They overcame our questionable parenting skills and became great parents. You can see it in your grand babies..
Yep and thanks.
Magica said
May 31 12:32 AM, 2024
jackb wrote:
Here's her closest sister aged seven.
This one is the mothering kind caring for all the kids in class who are hurt or upset or grazed and the gardener with fruit and veg growing indoors and out.
Mum recently had to buy her a plastic greenhouse.
She's currently growing spuds carrots peas and flowers.
This one takes after nan.
Mum is the ever growing in talent cook who will be cooking this girls produce.... everyone here has plans to make tasks to carry out stages of progress to watch and deal with and rewards further down the line.
I love how kids love doing their bit. Love the picture she drew.
jackb said
May 31 1:04 AM, 2024
Magica wrote:
jackb wrote:
Here's her closest sister aged seven.
This one is the mothering kind caring for all the kids in class who are hurt or upset or grazed
and the gardener with fruit and veg growing indoors and out.
Mum recently had to buy her a plastic greenhouse.
She's currently growing spuds carrots peas and flowers.
This one takes after nan.
Mum is the ever growing in talent cook who will be cooking this girls produce....
everyone here has plans to make tasks to carry out stages of progress to watch and deal with
and rewards further down the line.
I love how kids love doing their bit. Love the picture she drew.
It's pretty easy and rewarding for them and us if people start off early enough.
Anyone with a garden can instil a lot of stuff in a kid
so long as the garden is a garden and not a pristine useless sterile lawn... they're for old people!
I feel so sorry for people with kids and no outdoor space they can call their own.
Well seeing as you're meeting some of the family here's me and missus rollup
a mile away from the house.
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:15:25 AM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:55:17 AM
-- Edited by Syl on Friday 31st of May 2024 11:28:10 AM
👍
My first real love, ended when I met my husband. I met him when I was 17, he was 28, so there was an age dffernce, but we did love one another.
Years ago a mutual friend got in touch, she said he had asked about me and would like to meet up...I thought it was just for old times sake, we had both moved on, so I said No.
A few weeks later I heard he had died. He probably just wanted to say a last goodbye.
Crazy Brits.
The annual cheese rolling contest in Gloucestershire took place yesterday. People come from all over the world to compete. The cheese rolls at around 70mph, the chasers can get up to 40mph.
I love it
I made my first ever phone post today in the weather thread.
I swear word had gone round... he's got his phone with him!
I'm trying to type trying to post the phone wouldn't stop ringing!
I had to keep answering it.
Not only did that annoy me to hell but the size of the screen and the layout... not for me.
Plus I have fingers like sausages so really don't find typing on a phone at all comfortable or easy.
I was actually amused by the fact it had taken me so long to do this thing but felt vindicated in why I haven't...
I knew it wouldn't be easy.
But.... I will have another go... sometime.
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 03:13:27 AM
Won't be long until you're making TikTok videos of yourself bleaching your asshole. 😜
Here's a picture of me and one of my granddaughters who is about to become
six years old in a few days time.
She was a premmy baby and as soon as she came out she was whisked from Wales
to Liverpool in England
for an emergency operation on her brain and one on her stomach.
Trying times.
We were told it was inevitable that she would have some physical difficulties
probably down one side arm or leg or both but
she wouldn't be able to fully function on one side.
My daughter spent time everyday moving her massaging her exercising her
as soon as she got home and now
no one can find anything physically wrong with her!
She is perfect!
Mentally she is very different from her siblings in attitude and outlook but mental deficiencies?
No one can find any.
She has a passion and I mean a passion for music song and dance and never
stops asking questions about the differences in tone and colour and beat and rhythm.
She wants to know times and dates and the whyfores and wherefores of different kinds of music.
She is way ahead in reading writing arithmetic.
Her questions cannot always be answered by her teachers and they have said a special meeting is being called
as to whether or not to move her up to the next year up where her 7 year old sister is.
They are fierce friends and really look out for each other.
Her mum always asks in advance what kind of party they are wanting and of course this one wants music.
She's not six yet but has asked specifically for a DJ but not one of those scratchy loud ones.
So her mum phones around and finds a couple who know about doing old fashioned
DJaying for small children.
What kind of music will she be wanting?
First and foremost The Beatles!
OK any particular songs?
She wants to make an entrance to the song GIRL.
I've never heard that but it won't be a problem.
Second BLACKBIRD for her and her sister to sing on stage too.
On stage?
Yes we're hiring a village hall for her.
I've never heard of GIRL either but not a problem I'll have it.
BIRTHDAY off the white album.
OK.
She'll then want the Abbey Road tracks and the pop hits stuff starting with
BABY YOU CAN DRIVE MY CAR... PLEASE MISTER POSTMAN HELP SHE LOVES YOU and so on.
By this time the guy has said wow a number of times and she's not yet six!
There's also film and cartoon and modern pop stuff I know nothing of.
Then a couple of DOORS and STONES tracks were added and in her words the beautiful
NEIL YOUNG Harvest Moon tracks.
The guy said you're looking at a couple of hours at least here and possibly more but
are you being serious that this is her 6th birthday?
Yes and we blame her granddad!
The guy has been back in touch and said I hope you don't mind but
half my family and my wife's would like to come to the party are you OK with that and
we'll bring along lots of extra food for everyone?
My family... are saying ever louder what are you doing to these kids?
The DJ's request about his family took the heat down a little!
It's gonna be fun!
There's a few more 60's and 70's pop hits too.
-- Edited by jackb on Thursday 30th of May 2024 10:42:01 PM
-- Edited by jackb on Thursday 30th of May 2024 10:49:19 PM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:52:37 AM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:56:51 AM
I am certainly blessed being smothered in love and laughter!
Am I capable of killing?
You bet I am!
Double post.
-- Edited by jackb on Thursday 30th of May 2024 11:00:53 PM
Here's her closest sister aged seven.
This one is the mothering kind caring for all the kids in class who are hurt or upset or grazed
and the gardener with fruit and veg growing indoors and out.
Mum recently had to buy her a plastic greenhouse.
She's currently growing spuds carrots peas and flowers.
This one takes after nan.
Mum is the ever growing in talent cook who will be cooking this girls produce....
everyone here has plans to make tasks to carry out stages of progress to watch and deal with and
rewards further down the line.
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:13:06 AM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:13:59 AM
Yep and thanks.
I love how kids love doing their bit. Love the picture she drew.
It's pretty easy and rewarding for them and us if people start off early enough.
Anyone with a garden can instil a lot of stuff in a kid
so long as the garden is a garden and not a pristine useless sterile lawn... they're for old people!
I feel so sorry for people with kids and no outdoor space they can call their own.
Well seeing as you're meeting some of the family here's me and missus rollup
a mile away from the house.
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:15:25 AM
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:55:17 AM
-- Edited by Syl on Friday 31st of May 2024 11:28:10 AM
I have a bazillion more pics of grandkids and more grandkids and
I'm even a great grandad but I think you've seen enough for now.
Anyone else like to introduce us to their families on here?
-- Edited by jackb on Friday 31st of May 2024 01:16:47 AM
Nice photos Jack.
Talking of Greenhouses, Shorty has been told to stay out of mine and being a very obedient little dog...
🙄
Six years soon since Shorty came to stay and six years on Sunday since my Jack died.