Freewrite: Penfriends
The ducks - by Amstel River - April 2021
When I was a child I was fascinated with the world and its different cultures and people. I had penfriends from all around the world.
When I was 20, I met my Californian penfriend in Manhattan and had a great time with her. We got along great in real life as it was in our letters since we were 10 years old.
At age 23, I went on my “Let’s go Europe” tour. I went to Athens, Greece to meet my penfriend, Sofia. We corresponded since I was 9 years old. Sofia was with her best friend, Mary and her older sister, Angelica. I spoke to Sofia via them as her english was not good in person as it was in her letters. It was a nice visit but not as exciting as I had anticipated. I clicked with Mary who wanted to keep in touch. We exchanged only a few letters.
Unfortunately, after the visit, my contact with Sofia dwindled. I did not give up however. I’ve visited Greece several times since then - each time informing her. However, we never met again. Sometimes one has to let go.
My response to @mariannewest Freewrite - how many miles
The photo is my own
I too had loads of penfriends when I was a kid but never visited any of them. How we even found these penfriends in the first place, I really can't remember.
Aww that is nice. 😄😄 I found mine via Dear Penpal from Santa Barbara California. I had so many postcards with potential penfriends names from them - I will never forget them. All my pocket money was spent on stamps.
We used to carefully remove the stamps from any letters we received in the house and then reuse them:) It seemed to work perfectly.
Wow really!! I never thought of that and if I did I would be scared to try it. 😀
Here in Germany we had a program in the 80's and 90's: Schools that were far away from each other would have all the third graders write letters to an unknown person, these letters would be sent to the other school and a lottery drawing would assign the pen-pals. Maybe it was similar where you live?
It was likely something similar. If it wasn't at school I can't imagine where else we'd've connected with people unknown.
I didn't have penfriends, I only heard of them in our English Classes when we are asked to pretend to write a letter to one.
You are lucky to have had penfriends and to be able to connect with most of them physically.
I am sorry about Sofia, but maybe, it's time to let go.
I got my penfriends from Dear Penpal when I was younng. I made an effort to keep in touch and eventually I met 3 them.
Yes - it was time to let go of Sofia - if it is meant to be - we will meet again.
I wish I had penfriends from all over the world. That would be an adventure in itself! This is a very nice story. 😊😊🤗
Thank you - I am glad you likje it. Back then I got my penfriend from Dear Penpal. Now I see my interaction here on Hive almost like writing to penfriends. There are some similarities.
That's true. We share ideas with writers from all the world. 😊😊
Indeed!!
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at least you have tried to stay in touch with her. as you said some should be let go, to open chances for others. : )
Indeed some times it is best to accept the hint and move on. 😀
Yay! 🤗
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You have tried to connect with Sofia your friend but just like you said, sometimes one just have to let go, maybe you both might reconnect in the future.
I haven't had the opportunity to meet my penfriends physically but I know it will happen someday especially with my hive friends including you momogrow ❤️😂👍
Yes somehow I think we will meet again one day. We used to joke that our kids would continue the tradition. Now I have no idea whether she has children.
It is interesting - I responded here in the comments that my hive friends are now my penfriends. I am certain that I will meet Hivers one day and you as well.😀
I've never have had a pen friend. I guess its the disadvantage of being born in the digital age :)
But of course, it always exciting to finally meet someone you've been tallking with.
Well the concept continues but could be called online friends. The organization I got my penfriends from still exists. Yes it is always nice to meet someone with whom one only has a virtual connection.
Having a "Penfriend" was a huge thing back in school😊
Indeed, it's painful but one must let go. Maybe she and Sofia were better as penfriends. I know people who communicate better online than in person, talk more in their head than they do in real life😆. Well, she lost Sofia only to find Mary.
As always I find your stories satisfying Momo, you're so gifted💜
Thank you for liking my 5 minute download.😀
By the way @queenstarr this is my story - this is not fiction.
Also I only shared a few letters with Mary - that was not meant to be. Maybe one day I will meet Sofia again though.
😂It's not fiction? You always do this to me, I can't tell when it's real and when it's fiction. Nicely done.
Fingers crossed you meet with Sofia soon💗
😀😀
Fingers crossed
Lovely duck picture 😃
Must have been fascinating to finally meet your pen-pals. Sorry you lost touch, but sometimes it cannot be helped.
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@momogrow! Your Content Is Awesome so I just sent 1 $BBH (Bitcoin Backed Hive) to your account on behalf of @hannes-stoffel. (1/20)
Many thanks for your kind comment. This 5 minute freewrite brought back lots of memories. It was indeed nice to meet them. I accept what is also what is to be.😀
Thanks re. the photo.
Pretty cool to have had pen friends on different continents :<)
I guess meeting up in real life isn't the same as talking via letters ( and words ;<) ), to say the least and this is becoming even more confusing in these Internet/ AI times. Many of us aren't getting more social.
And I agree, letting go is very important.
I myself am getting better and better at that, with the years.
Knuffel
P.S. I have also lived near The Amstel river, for a while, back in 2009/10. Thank you for bringing back memories :<)