The love note from a June to a Debbie

Books can burn a hole (or hole$) in your pocket.

For this reason, I often buy used/second-hand books from half-price bookstores and charity shops, especially when I am abroad. I've had some really delightful finds and deals! (I once purchased a good grammar book for £1 in Bath, UK.)

Used books are interesting for the fact that they used to belong to other people. They carry traces of history in them - be it smells, dog-eared pages, coffee-stains (well, I would like to think that they are coffee-stains), highlighter marks, an unknown person's hand-writing or little notes. These historical markers intrigue me, especially addresses. I would yearn to write to the person at a particular address to declare that I am the next proud owner of the book! I haven't tried anything like that - but perhaps I shall, someday. 

Anyway, I got down to blogging about this because there was a love note from a June to a Debbie in a book, which I started reading today. If you can't read the hand-writing, this is what it says: 

"15 July 97. 

My dear Debbie, I'm so happy to know you and give this, one of my favourite books, to you on your day! Whatever life holds for you, my prayer is that your wonder, joy and awe with life will never cease and always grow. Happy birthday!

Love, 
your cubicle buddy, June"

Awww. Sweet. The book is indeed amazing, June!* Reading it made me weep at certain places. 

However, I also began wondering what happened to Debbie that her birthday book had ended up in the half-price shop. I mean, the book is such a treasure that I would keep it, even if I were to get into a fight with its giver!

Perhaps, she died. God might have called her Home - no longer to be an alien and stranger in this world.

"Cubicle" could refer to that of the hospital ward. A place where pain and sickness were endured. Yet, a place where hope could still pulsate and promise life beyond bodily death. The hope of Christ. The hope of the glory of God.

Well, I pray today, that my wonder, joy and awe of the eternal life I have in Christ will never cease.... and always grow. 

*Book title: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. I might blog about the book some other day.