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LETTER TO A STRANGER (I)
To: Ms. Jutta Martinez
Queen Creek, AZ 85242
March 12, 2002
Dear Ms. Martinez,
The book, "84, Charing Cross Road" by Helene Hanff, has arrived today. I would like to thank you for the timely delivery and the careful wrapping. Your using of the paperboard instead of the regular manila envelope reminds me my 90-year-old grandpa. As long as I could remember, he never buys a brand new envelope. He always recycles the used ones by turning them inside out and re-seal them again when mailing.
As for the "84, Charing Cross Road", the movie version first caught my attention nearly 10 years ago; and later I accidentally found a set of tapes recorded the reading of the book by some theater actor and actress. While I was desperate to have the original writing, I gave up buying a new edition and rather looking for the secondhand. That's how I cross the Half.com and found yours, a great De luxe 1975 edition. Been writing letters all my life as well, this book means a lot to me.
It's so grateful that you keep this book in a good shape; I'll do the same.
Sincerely,
Yiling Liu
^^^^^^^^^^^^
[Postscript]
I bought "84, Charing Cross Road" through HALF.COM. It is 1975 De Luxe Gift Edition where the blue hard cover has HH marked in gold, which was Helene Hanff's abbreviation when she used in writing letters. This used book was first given to a mother by her daughter Jif as a new year gift in 1981.
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LETTER TO A STRANGER (II)
To: Paul and Yvonne Cantey
San Jose, CA 95118
May 16, 2001
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Cantey,
How are you?
You don't know me, and I am not sure if this letter should be getting you by the address that I found from the front page of the book, "Backroad Journey of the West Coast States" written by David Yeadon (Published in 1979).
I got this nice book in a book sale of the Fremont Public Library in spring 1997. I didn't actually read it until recently when I left my current job and took a long break at the first time in my life. It may be a good idea to arrange trips like this: taking backroad journeys instead of the major highways.
Have you ever try those routes that the author suggested in this book?
From this book, I assume that you must be book lovers and love taking road trips. Therefore, I am simply writing a note to you saying hello. I am appreciated that I got this book from you, even which is not directly, and such vintage piece might not be found in any fancy bookstore.
On the front page of this book, I put my personal stamp just below your address. Whoever gets this book later will know the previous owners.
Nice to meet you this way, and wish you all the best.
Regards,
Yiling Liu
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
[Postscript]
This letter was returned one week later with addressee unknown. As for "Backroad Journey of the West Coast States", I use it as a reference to plan my solo trips where I found great joy in the driving routes introduced in the book.
WRITTING LETTERS
Here we are, living in the digital world. People don't pick up pens writing words on papers.
"I'll email you."
That's how we communicate.
I still like writing letters, putting stamps on the envelope, walking to the post office dropping the mail with a great smile on my face.
You can weigh the words, they are as heavy as the relationship between you and the one who would appreciate the letters.
Nobody cares anymore.
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