In the late 1970’s I entered my name and address in a publication for International Penpals. I was newly married, in my early 20’s, and very interested in exchanging letters with someone in another country. I contacted someone from England, a country where many of my ancestors emigrated from, and had a reply from a young woman near my own age by the name of Linda. We conversed for a few years. I know she lived in Birmingham, I think her last name was Hamilton or Hampton, and when she married I think her name was changed to Smith. I remember she liked to “caravan.” A word alien to me, but in Britain-speak it means to camp, at least I think so. The photograph above was taken in Coleshill Park, and the dog’s name was Skip. Sadly, after we both had children, and became busy, we lost touch. I would love to find her again. If anyone resides in this area of England, and knows an auburn-haired pretty lady, in her fifties, called Linda, please forward her this blog. Thanks!

In this age of technology we are living in writing with pen and paper and having penpals must seem alien to at least half the population. Email does make it easier, but it’s great to have a hard copy of someone’s thoughts. If the picture above had been sent to me through email, I doubt I would still have it. Here’s hoping in 2013 I’ll be able to reconnect with Linda again.