On letters from long ago and a change in direction

Letters from long ago seem to be popping up everywhere this week.

A telephone call from Linda Kentfield about the 30-year-old missive that was apparently lost somewhere until just recently is one of those oddities that everyone likes to read about. We hope you enjoy the story.

Although it's certainly none of our business, it would be interesting to have the Kentfield family share the contents of the letter that Sherry wrote to her parents, Ray and Terry, so many years ago. Hopefully, it contains good news.

I came across my own 'hidden' letter this past week while searching for some old pictures buried away in a trunk. I never did find what I was looking for - or maybe I did. Who knows? Maybe what I was really supposed to find was the letter from my great-aunt, Freda Schroeder, written at the time of my confirmation from St. Peter Lutheran Church back in 1966.

Aunt Freda was a young child in 1884 when she traveled from Germany aboard the S.S. Regina with her parents (my paternal great-grandparents, Carl and Louise Witt) and three siblings. The Witt clan settled among other families in the Westphalia and Fowler areas who had previously immigrated to the United States.

My grandpa, Henry Witt, was born shortly after the family arrived in their new home community. By 1904, my great-grandparents had saved enough money to buy an 80-acre farm and white frame house on Forest Hill Road in Riley Township. The farm has been in our family since that date - the portion of that house that now serves as my home office is a bedroom where Aunt Freda may very well have slept.

In her letter, dated March 29, 1966, Aunt Freda shares her memories of a time not that long ago in terms of linear space - but an eternity when measured against today's fast-paced society with its seemingly unquenchable thirst to see more, do more, own more.

Aunt Freda writes:

"When I think back, what a big change in the times since I was confirmed June 7, 1893 at St. Peter in Fowler. We lived one-half mile east of Westphalia. My dad did not even have horses - he borrowed a team and lumberwagon so we could get to Fowler.

"My parents had a spring-seat to sit on. We three kids sat on a board that was laid across the wagon box - we put a blanket on the board. There was no spring in the board, but we did not mind a bit - we were so happy riding on that and getting to church for the big occasion, for I was the oldest. I felt very proud.

"My mother had made a white dress and I had new black shoes and a black hat with streamers. It was a big day for me that long time ago in 1893.

"I am glad for everybody the time has changed for the better and people have more to do with. Rhonda - may the good Lord bless you and guide you in the right direction; that's my wish for you. Aunt Freda."

By and large, her wish has come true. So many blessings have come my way since that letter was delivered to this very house 36 years ago - too many and varied to count.

The wish for guidance remains a work in progress. There surely have been times when I've strayed from the path - maybe I'm off it now, who knows? Sometimes it feels like the direction is wrong.