Cat Michaels, Writer
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Secrets to lasting love remain unchanged for 70 years

2/13/2018

15 Comments

 
Great-Aunt Hazel’s letter written to Mama in 1945 nested in an ancient steamer trunk in the dusty basement of my 100-year old childhood home. It was atop a flurry of yellowing envelopes with old-timey air mail stamps and addresses embellished with exquisite cursive writing.  Tucked away (but I suspect not forgotten by Mama!) for seven decades, my great-aunt’s letter called to me from its hiding place … almost as if Mama left it there for me to find.
​

Secrets to Lasting Love Remain Unchanged for 70 Years – catmichaelswriter.com
Mama's trunk top: letters, cards, ribbons from my baby shower
Clearing my parents' estate was difficult enough, and the discovery of my mother’s stash made it bittersweet. Aunt Hazel's missive revealed secrets my parents kept concealed. I had no clue about their turmoil as young sweethearts.
 
Aunt Hazel's letter was a gift to me about my parents and timeless love. I don’t share her words easily outside the family. They are beyond precious to me.  I hope you find them meaningful, too.

Secrets to Love Unchanged - catmichaelswriter.com


True Story 

During WWII, a handsome young sailor from New Haven, Ct.,
met and fell in love
with the beautiful USO Queen
when he was stationed in Everett, Wa., on the USS Elmore.

 
Her family didn't want their youngest to leave home 
with a stranger of a different-to-them culture and religion.
​  
They did their best break up the young couple.
Secrets to Lasting Love Unchanged After 70 Years - catmichaelswriter.com
Handsome sailor and USO Queen: circa 1946
However, one person,
the USO Queen's Aunt Hazel,
wrote to her niece
with compassion and wisdom
about finding lasting love: 
​
Secrets to Lasting Love Remain Unchanged for 70 Years – catmichaelswriter.com
Secrets to Lasting Love Remain Unchanged for 70 Years – catmichaelswriter.com

I'm grateful
the handsome sailor and the USO Queen 
listened to Aunt Hazel.
​
My parents 
remained deeply in love 
for their 65 years together 
on this earth.

​
Secrets to Lasting Love Remain Unchanged for 70 Years – catmichaelswriter.com
Great-Aunt Hazel's letter
Your Turn
Have you discovered letters from your past that helped you better understand yourself and your family? What do you believe are the secrets to lasting love? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.
​

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15 Comments
Kris Seek
2/14/2018 11:57:12 am

What a tremendous testimony to love and wisdom! Truly timeless lessons in making critical decisions regarding the heart and home! Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Carol Baldwin
2/14/2018 05:50:28 pm

A treasure, for sure. thanks for sharing! And good advice too.

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/25/2018 10:34:26 pm

Kris, your kind words mean a ton to me. Truly a timeless gift!

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/25/2018 10:35:48 pm

Carol, I am gobsmacked that her advice is just as relevant today as it was when Aunt Hazel wrote it 70 years ago.

Reply
Julie Gorges link
2/6/2020 10:10:37 pm

What wonderful treasures you discovered. So touching. Thanks for sharing their precious love story with the rest of us!

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/7/2020 09:10:26 am

Julie, it’s a joy to see that love is an enduring constant in life. It’s beyond precious!

Reply
Julie link
2/6/2020 10:34:34 pm

What wise words and beautiful advice. Timeless.

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/7/2020 09:12:37 am

Julie, I wish I had known my great aunt and could talk with her today. We can always use wise words about love and life -:D.

Reply
Rosie Russell link
2/8/2020 02:21:12 pm

Like so many have already mentioned, what timeless treasures you have, Cat. I love handwritten notes as we rarely see much anymore.
Thank you for sharing these with us.

Reply
Carmela
2/10/2020 09:57:20 am

What beautiful and sound advice. I understand why this was difficult to share. Thank you, this is a piece of family history, just beautiful.

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/10/2020 01:56:07 pm

It gets easier to talk of my parents as it gets longer since they both left this earth, but my aunt’s letter will always tug at my heart. Bittersweet. Thanks for reading my story, Carmela.

Reply
Loren link
2/10/2020 01:30:10 pm

Wow, this is love. Very wise advice from your aunt. It is wonderful to find such things and I think for your aunt and mom it is wonderful to have a daughter who cares for them.

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/10/2020 02:03:09 pm

Loren, I was blown away when I first found Aunt Hazel’s letter after my parents passed. It was a bittersweet moment. Sad to lose them. Overjoyed to find such a testament to their love. Thanks for readying our story.

Reply
Barbara Chapman link
2/13/2020 11:05:20 pm

Cat, your parents had great advice and I love that you've copied out Aunt Hazel's letter to them. Great photo of your parents, too! Happily posted to several of my Pinterest boards for you, including The Greatest Generation. <3

Happy Valentine's Day to you,
Barb :)

Reply
Cat Michaels
2/14/2020 01:20:18 pm

Barbara, I’m touched that my parent’s story made its way to you. I must find my way to your Greatest Generation board. Thanks for stopping by and sharing

Reply

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  • Welcome!
  • Cat's Books
    • Sweet T and the Turtle Team >
      • Just Between Sam and Me
    • Finding Fuzzy: A You-Decide Tale of a Lost Friend
    • Sweet T and the North Wind
    • The Magical Aquarium
  • Cat's Corner: Blogging About Books, Writing, and More
  • Meet Cat
  • FREE STUFF in the Kids' Zone
  • Contact Cat