A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet

I received a newsletter two days ago. I admit it. I ignored it. I thought it was just another Spanish-language church bulletin.

We get so much mail at our new address that just isn't meant for us that I didn't register the return address. I saw it. I saw Spanish. I didn't think past it.

This morning I got up, took a shower, and walked into the kitchen to say good morning to Dave. While I was taking my daily "Linsley Has A Temporary Crown" antibiotic I glanced through the mail.

For the past two weeks, I've just glanced at the mail. If it doesn't say "mortgage" or "tax information enclosed" I've basically ignored it.

But, this morning, I was taking that crazy antibiotic and talking to Dave about Valentine's Day and how we would choose not to celebrate by painting the bathroom. I turned to go dry my hair when Dave said, "Are you going to read your letter from Jennifer?"

I was shocked. A letter from Jennifer? Who's Jennifer? Oh, right, you refer to Turner as Jennifer. From Costa Rica? How could I have missed it? But, you know what? I’ll be damned if I didn't.

Right there, obvious to the entire world, was a newsletter from her Costa Rican address.

I read as much as I could before realizing I would be late for work and headed back to make myself presentable for the day all the while thinking, "I'm going to have such a delightful time reading about her life tonight. I'll just hang on to that until I have a moment to really digest it all".

So I waited. I waited until I had a moment for every word. Every thing that would pull me into her world. It was delightful. It was fantastic to read her writing while thinking of her saying it. It was so reassuring to hear from her and about her adventures.

I read that newsletter, not once, not twice, but three times. And I can't begin to guess how many times over the next few weeks I'll read it again.

Here's the thing: The Spanish must be getting to her. We've been friends--not close friends, not acquaintances--but best friends for a decade.

The letter was addressed to...wait for it...

"Lindsley and Dave Matteson.

It's funny enough that it's "Dave Matteson". It's only funnier that it's addressed to "Lindsley".

I guess she's Hooked on Phonics.

L