Pen Pals

A few days ago, our security guard, Bokang, handed me an envelope from his daughter, Elelloang.

He told me she to was eager to have a pen pal to practice her English.

Looking down at the envelope addressed to "Ausy July" - or "Sister Julie" - in her sweet nine-year old handwriting, I delighted in the idea of sharing messages with this shy little girl.

I had the pleasure of meeting Eellloang when she requested we come over to her house to visit her kitten.

Well, when I opened that first letter, I was glad to learn that Eellloang thought I was a wonderful father.

Now greeting cards of any kind are incredibly hard to come by in Mokhotlong.

I imagine that Elelloang had this card for some time waiting for the just occasion to use it...just maybe not quite understanding what it said.

But the thought of her wanting to give it to me...and the sweet picture she enclosed...made may heart melt a little.

I wrote my new pen pal back and included a picture of my family and, of course, a picture of two of my favorite cats...since an affinity for felines seems to be something we share.