Many years ago when I was about fifteen, I began to write to a young man in Singapore whose English name was Eddie Cheong. I am sorry to say I can’t remember his Chinese name, as I only ever called him Eddie. We continued to correspond for years and years, and always hoped to meet but unfortunately that didn’t seem possible.
Then a friend and colleague of his, Jamilah, came to Britain; a lovely young woman who was in the Singapore broadcasting company; we invited her to our family home and we got on so well together that she and I began to correspond and eventually she invited me to Singapore… and I went!
What a delight it was to meet Eddie at last! I met his family and although I stayed with Jamilah and her grandparents in their kampong, I got to know Eddie very well. It was a most wonderful and unforgettable holiday. I still have this bronze plaque that Eddie gave me, sadly I no longer have his address.
I suppose one of the many things to learn from this story is that you just never know when an opportunity will present itself; I never dreamed aged fifteen, that one day I would fly halfway round the world to meet my penfriend!
Lois Elsden 
so true – you just never know…
thanks for the reminder 🙂
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I used to write to Santa Claus. Ain’t got to meet him though.
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He comes to our family Christmas party each year – he hasn’t missed in over fifty years!
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Lovely story Lois. These echoes through the years are rewarding aren’t they? One of the things about being a bit older perhaps.
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You’re right, Alice!
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Oops – why did I call you Alice? I think I’m going mad!! Sorry Philippa!!
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there is an Alice very close to me! you must have picked up the vibes Lois!
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I loved pen pals! I think the blogging community is similar. So when you come to the U.S…
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Okey-dokey, and ditto when you come over here!
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