Precious Memories

We've just returned from a bittersweet week, helping my parents sort through the leftover possessions of my grandmother's life. There were many moments of nostalgia, from finding the small ornaments we used to play with as children, to the photographs and slides of my grandparents' holiday trips. There were the odd bits of slightly valuable bric a brac, like a small murano glass bowl, Lladro figurines, and antique Wedgewood. There was family history: copies of an old manuscript my great grandfather had been working on (he published what were commonly known as "penny dreadfuls" at one stage), my great grandmother's piano certificates, my grandfather's university medical attainment certificates, my grandmother's journals and old Women Writers newsletters. 

The most prized find for me, however, was a letter. Typed and sent in the late 50s, it was a letter beginning "We'd like to congratulate you on your decision to follow Jesus at the recent Billy Graham convention." 

Far more precious than any earthly possessions.

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