Shirley You Must Be Love...

I've been having a really hard time today. I wanted to write a story this morning- one of my old/classic tales of misadventure and mayhem- but for some reason, I couldn't think of a series of moments worth expounding on.

I got an email from one of my readers. A woman named Shirley from Half Moon Bay whom I have never met, but have had many glorious opportunities to correspond with via this wonderful thing we call the internet and our own personal computers. Shirley showed up right when I began writing my stories down. Shirley became a quiet but devoted fan. As time went on, I began to realize Shirley had read every single thing I had written here on AELEOPE.

Well I got this email from Shirley and I hope like hell that she doesn't mind me publishing it so people can know how and why I feel the way I do.

To Shirley directly- I wanted others to know and understand how you've touched me in such a profound way and that is why I am posting our correspondence. I don't know how to honor you without exposing you, so please understand that I post our correspondence as a way to grapple with our connection and the sadness I feel because of that connection.

I got this email from Shirley-

Hi, Scott.

Just a quick note to let you know I'm still alive, but certainly not well. I suppose it's anyone's guess how much longer I have. I think of you often, always with great fondness. I hope you and your Mom are doing well.

Think good thoughts for me.

Love,

Shirley from Half Moon Bay

In which I replied--

Oh Shirley!!

I am so sorry to hear you are not well. I was just thinking about you the other day, and I wondered how you were. I am thinking wonderful thoughts about you tonight and will continue to think good thoughts about you for the duration of my lifetime.

You have been a super warm supporter of my blog and my writing and for that I am deeply grateful.

Mum is now swimming in the pool for a couple of hours everyday. She would rather do her Wii exercises than just about anything else. I will tell her you send good wishes. I have talked about you to her in the past. It is a shame you two never played a game of bridge together...

I was just down visiting with my Pops after the Kate Wolf Festival this year. He's 76 and still playing racquetball and looks like he's got some miles left on his treads still... I hope to be as hale as he is at that age...

I know how you like my stories, so I'm gonna tell you one on my blog. I should have it done by noonish tomorrow. I hope you'll take a peep at it when you get some time and energy...

With lots of love and a heap of sadness in hearing about your health,

Your friend,
Scott (from Oregon)

And now I can't find the resources in my mind to write a story worthy of how I feel about Shirley.

Shirley you radiate love as big as the whole moon.