DEAR CARL by Anna Friend

By Anna Friend

Hello, Dear Carl fans

Happy New Year to you and yours. I am thankful for your support of Carl’s mom. She has made a fresh start in the new year. In her mid-80s, she thrives for quality of life and establishing a legacy of family love.

Carl’s mom has lived in North Carolina for most of her life. She is a southern transplant and has enjoyed the culture, hospitality, and high regard for kin—family closeness. She became a widow in her early 40s and has only one son. Carl was just entering college when his dad died. Carl married a beautiful woman (Donna) with ties in Arizona. He moved and established his home in Arizona soon after college. Carl has 2 sons and is a grandfather of 3 children. Carl’s mom had friends and community work she enjoyed in North Carolina that kept her from moving to Arizona upon her husband’s death. She had lived in the home where she and her husband shared most of their married lives. She moved into a senior living cottage a few years ago. Every week, she sits at her dining table and writes her son a handwritten letter, though he calls her almost every Sunday.

New this year—Carl’s mom is now living in her son’s home. She made an abrupt decision to move to Arizona upon the death of a close friend, and at the request of her daughter-in-law. Although Carl and his mother now have time for in-depth conversations, which she relishes, she has decided to continue to write letters to Carl each week. She is documenting her life and life lessons in them. She folds the letters neatly, places them in envelopes, seals, and dates them. She then stores them in a large wooden box that she inherited from her friend, Shirley. She wants to leave Carl his small family’s history and tie them with the assurance that her Lord and Savior was with her, her husband, their families, and Carl, even when they did not know Him.

Dear Carl,

If you are reading this, I am seated at the feet of Jesus. I am healthy, happy, and serving God. Hopefully, your tears are dried. You are smiling and thumbing through these letters I have written to comfort and encourage you. I am sitting in this luxurious chair at a most beautiful writing desk in the beautiful room that Donna prepared for me. I know Donna did not like that I put my old quilt on the end of my fluffy comforter spread, but it has been with me for many years. She has extravagant taste, and I am appreciative of her thoughtfulness.

I am enjoying my morning coffee with you, son. It is a daily gift. It is New Year’s week. We all want a starting point each year to manage time better, eat better, spend wiser, and this year more than ever be kinder and closer to those we love. Last year was a challenge. The onset of a new world and lifestyle set precedence for this year as well. I hope that today as you read this that no matter what month or time of year it is that you will use my passing as a starting point. More of Jesus—a life dependent on His love, affirmation, and listening ear. You see, son, I am hoping that you will be completely surrendered to Christ by now. It is important to have a mom in your life because most moms have deep unconditional love, and a “no matter what” devotion. However, we were never to replace God’s most sacrificial, unconditional love. His love has grace, mercy, and it is timeless. The Bible says His mercies are new every morning. He is described in the Bible as being filled with loving-kindness and is slow to anger.

Carl, they say you can only take one thing with you when you go to heaven. You can take your loved ones, meaning you can share the Gospel, a relationship with Jesus. You will see them again in heaven by sharing, praying, and encouraging them to know Him while you are living. I accepted Him very late in life, but His call and availability were with me. He was knocking at the door of my heart. Son, answer His call.

Speaking of knocking, thank you for placing the engraved door knocker on your gorgeous front door. I remember buying it for you when you bought your first home. Now if I can just get used to talking to that fancy, fandangle speaker that locks and unlocks by speaking to it. I don’t know, son. It’s a little scary how many things are run in your home by talking to them. I love you, son.

Mom

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psalm 145:8 ESV)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 ESV)