Seek and You Shall Find...in Melbourne, Australia
Two weeks ago, I wrote to you about my quest... Searching for Tom and hoping it's a small world. Your response was magic. You sent me in directions I had not considered...I knew I could count on my very clever blogging friends.
Last week, I wrote with an update of my quest...
I have a feeling that one day, out of the blue, my message will come.
When it does, I will be sure to report back to you.
I am happy to report, it worked! Because of your efforts, my message came in the form of a "beep" on my phone in the busy streets of Saigon. I glanced at my Facebook message to read..."That is me". I don't have to tell you how excited I was at that moment. I blitzed across the maze of traffic before me and headed straight to a cafe. I needed time and space to write.
With a coffee by my side, I started typing away..telling Tom about the connection to his mother in more detail. I sent my blog link and then waited for a response...I was fit to be tied.
Tom responded quickly after to say he read my blog post and although he has very little memory of Cathy (he was a toddler when she passed away), he would be happy to receive her letter. My mission has come full circle and I have so many of you to thank for it. Cathy's letter will leave my bedside table, where it has been for the past 21 years, and will be posted to Tom in Melbourne, Australia, where it belongs.
Six degrees of separation has been mentioned throughout this journey, the theory that we are all linked by chains of acquaintances, just six introductions away from any other person on the planet. I have no doubt of this phenomenon, especially in the blogging world.
With that thought mind, I would love to resurrect a passion of mine...writing postcards. Over the past five years, I have written to many of you as I travelled. It has been my pleasure and I would like to do so again.
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| Writing postcards from a Kasbah in Morocco... |
If you would like to receive a postcard and I have written to you in the past, I should have your address in my file. You can leave a comment to say you would like another postcard or write to me at jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com
If you are new to my postcard passion, you can write to me at the email address above with your address and I will pop a postcard from Saigon in the mail to you.
Once again, my clever blogging friends,
you are the best!
Thank you!!
I look forward to dropping you a line!
Jeanne xx
Dear Jeanne - Now this is very good news! What a wonderful way to start the day. I've been traveling in Europe and just returned home. I've been wondering about your search for Tom. Thanks for this update!
ReplyDeleteSmall world indeed!!
Kind regards,
Loi
PS - I would love to receive a postcard from Saigon where I was born. Perhaps I can send you one from Maine, DC or Sweden??
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you a postcard Loi...I will contact you for the details. Any of the locations you mentioned would be lovely! ;)
DeleteWow! Tears of joy!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your journey of inspiration, hope, and joy
Thank you Maywyn...xx
DeleteDear Jeanne, so pleased to hear about finding Tom.
ReplyDeleteI would love another postcard please - I think you have my address.
A couple of books for you: Little Daughter by Zoya Phan and Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening by Carol Wall.
Jenni, I would love to send you another PC! I have been trying to reach you, could you drop me a line.. jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com
DeletePS..just started Mister Owita's Guide to Gardening...LOVE IT!
The power of the internet! Love it! Out of curiosity, was it the link from Facebook I sent? Cathy is smiling down on you....you've brought this full circle.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa..it is funny, there were three of you who emailed me at the same time with the suggestion. It was the right one! xx
DeleteWow Jeanne, this is magic, a miracle. This is such an amazing story. Hopefully, Tom will get to know his mother more. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI hope so Pamela...thank you. :) xx
DeleteI've sent you a message! So, so happy the miracle occurred and you found Tom. This is such an amazing story! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGot it Melissa, thank you! On it's way to you shortly! xx
DeleteAww. I love a happy ending. Thank you for sharing this sweet story.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome Pamela... ;)
DeleteSo happy to hear (read) this great news!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for following the story Becky... xx
DeleteJeanne
ReplyDeleteThat is such wonderful news! I would love to receive a postcard and I in turn shall send you one from California!
I have your name on the list Cindy...I will email you for the details. xx
DeleteBrought tears to my eyes………..It's a SMALL SMALL WORLD!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love it Elizabeth... xx
DeleteMore tears here. Don't know when a blog post has brought me more joy. So happy that you can get to know this child of your dear friend. what a treasure.
ReplyDeleteI can sympathise Webb...it was an emotional few posts for me. Tissue box by my side the whole way through.. xx
DeleteHow absolutely thrilling - that Tom is such a lucky man to have someone care enough all those years about his mother to spend time looking for him. So glad the Internet is good for a lot of wonderful things……………
ReplyDeleteYou sitting in a Saigon cafe with a coffee was a nice virtual photo for me…….I really enjoyed my time in Saigon.
I would love a post card please Jeanne. Funnily, just yesterday as I was setting up my new home office space, I was going through my collection of p-cards from all the places I've visited in this big world and thinking how I might do something similar - perhaps just write a few lines and pop one in the mail now and then.
Thanks dear - I'll e-mail my address and would love to get on your mailing list.
Hugs and happy day - Mary
Look forward to it Mary...I have just the right one for you! ;)
DeleteWonderful news. I hope this resonates through your life in many ways as yet unforeseen. It seems tied, somehow to your new empty nest state. Congratulations to you and to Tom.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully, beautifully said LPC.
DeleteHappy tears!
DeleteI really believe in our connection - perhaps the reminder of it is the best that the internet has to offer...
Gros, gros bisous. I am thrilled for you to have found him.
Thank you Lisa and Heather...for your very wise perspectives on this one. Could not agree more. xx
DeleteThat is exciting news Jeanne!
ReplyDeleteThe world really is a smaller place when you have so many wonderful connections...
be well.
Leslie
So true Leslie...and I still remember the connection point when I first came across your blog...your Chris Craft boat. I thought...there is a woman who has great taste! I was right..xx
DeleteThis makes me so happy.
ReplyDeleteWell done you!
xo
Thank you Ms. Pamela... xxx
DeleteJeanne, I have thought of this post often in the last few weeks and hoped that Tom would be found. This news brought tears to my eyes, well done!
ReplyDeleteI love your post cards! And am always happy to receive them, perhaps along with your brown paper book club you could start a post card pen pal club. I know everyone likes a piece of snail mail.
Have a wonderful day Jeanne.
Coming your way Elizabeth...delighted! xx
DeleteCongratulations, Jeanne, on your finding Tom! It truly is a small world after all.
ReplyDeleteI've already received one of your beautiful postcards, it was from either Vietnam or Cambodia, so I should still be on your list. However, the next time you head out to the hinterlands of the world, another one would be great. Sorry that some people find postcards such a waste of time, but I find the folks back home love to receive them; I know I do.
I found one in Taipei for you Judy...it will come by way of Vietnam. A bonus postcard! xx
DeleteJeanne, It has been such delight to follow the story of finding Tom..a story that reached in to the center of my being with the heart of the story you had to share with him.
ReplyDeleteI have received postcards from you in the past - each of them is glued to a page in one of my journals...treasures for my life's journey. I would love to receive another post card here in Missoula Montana. Thanks for the offer, Kristin
Absolutely Kristin..a postcard writing session would not be the same if your name was not on my list. I love seeing who I have posted to in the past and which countries I posted from. Happy to send another one your way. Like Judy..it will come from Taipei by way of Vietnam. xx
DeleteAmazing! Amazing! I had goosebumps running all up and down my arms. This brought me to tears thinking about your lovely friendship with her and life's cruel turns...and kind people who die...and facing stories like this and knowing the outcomes. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteAlways in our hearts Sarah... xx
DeleteWhat a beautiful story.
ReplyDeleteSSG xxx
Thank you SSG xxx
DeleteThat is one amazing story and I am so glad that you found Tom. It's almost like a real-life fairytale. I think that everyone was moved my it. And, yes please, I would like to receive a postcard from you. I cherish the ones I have already received dearly. I will be sure to reciprocate :)
ReplyDeleteDelighted Loree..I have yours and you have mine. I love that! Coming to you soon... xx
DeleteJeanne, Congratulations on finding Tom! What a small world it is after all. We were all waiting and hoping you would have good results.
ReplyDeleteI would love to receive a post card from Saigon and I would be happy to send you one from Virginia. I will email you my address.
Farm Gal in VA
Thanks Farm Gal...I got it! We are good to go! xx
DeleteJeanne, you should feel very satisfied now that this "circle of life" story has had a happy conclusion. What a wonderful sense of accomplishment, and all through the amazing power of blogging and connecting with so many caring and interested people....as well as the fact that you did all this coming from your dedication to your dear friend. A great life lesson in all of this....
ReplyDeleteYou once sent me a postcard, and it made my week...it would be lovely to receive another whenever it should magically appear!!! Be well....
Susan..I would love ot send you another postcard! Could you send me your details so I can make sure I have the correct 'Susan'? Looking forward to hearing from you.. xx jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com
DeleteHow wonderful! It's a small world after all. As always, I'd love a postcard:-)
ReplyDeleteI was hoping so Carina!! xx
DeleteWhat a wonderful ending.
ReplyDeleteJohn Donne wrote in his poem " A Valediction: Forbidding Mouring" - Thy firmness makes mine circle just, to make me end where I begun, and so Cathys letter does a full circle, from Mother to Friend to Son.
Bravo Jeanne, you are a special person to have done this.
thankyou
A lovely poem Bronwyn...thank you so much. I receivd your details, a postcard will be on it's way shortly. xx
DeleteJeanne,
ReplyDeleteThis has brought tears to my eyes....what a heartfelt story! I remember your postcard writing....and I would LOVE to be a part of that!
xo
annie
Thank you Annie! I received your details and am so happy to be posting to NC once again..;) xx
DeleteWhat a wonderful story...I am so happy you found Tom. It is indeed a small world. I would LOVE to have a postcard from you, Jeanne! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWonderful Sandy..I would love to send you one, I will drop you a line for your mailing address. Annie @ Most Lovely Things, the comment before you is from New Cannan...and with you from Greenwich, how small a world is that! Especially the fact that I once lived in both towns. Ah LIFE! xx
Deletehappy news!!!
ReplyDeletei would love to receive a post card all the way from Saigon :)
Delighted Maria... xx
DeleteYour kindness is inspiring, Jeanne. Thank you, Leslie
ReplyDeleteThank you Leslie...and I received your details, always happy to send you a postcard. xx
DeleteJeanne, You are such a lovely and kind person to do this. How wonderful you found Tom. This story really touched me. Wonderful to remember your dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you a postcard and also get one from Vietnam. I will email you! Kim
Kim...thank you..and I would love to send you a postcard! xx
DeleteThis was a very heart warming post indeed. Tears of joy all around and yes I would love to receive one of your post cards from your travels. God bless you and may your heart to heart connection with Tom be always a reminder that when you put your wishes out to the universe and to the wonderful people in it all will try their best to make your wishes come true. Blessings. Love Jeanne
ReplyDeleteYou are so kind Jeanne...thank you! Would love to send you a postcard...I will send you a note.xx
DeleteMore than words letters mingle souls.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you all I am rejoicing as I read this blog post.
So happy♥ Love Jeanne
A double thank you!! xx
DeleteThat is awesome! What a terrific story. And now he has another little piece of his mom to hold onto. Love it!
ReplyDeleteAnd you know i love your postcards - count me in please!
I'm happy you found Tom or Tom found you.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week Jeanne.