Mumbai's Joy Duarte and New Zealand's Elizabeth Hands have been a part of each other's lives since 1967 as members of the World Pen Friends Club, but met for the first time only on Friday
Mumbai's Joy Duarte and New Zealand's Elizabeth Hands have been a part of each other's lives since 1967 as members of the World Pen Friends Club, but met for the first time only on Friday
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Boundaries mean nothing in friendship. Ask Mumbaikar Joy Duarte and Elizabeth Hands from Taraunga, New
Zealand, who have been pen pals for 42 years, without ever meeting each other. Their 42-year wait ended on Friday when they met in Mumbai. Hands had informed Duarte that she was coming to the city for the first time for a medical checkup. "We never thought that we would meet," both said excitedly.
Bonding across seas
The two 50-something women chatted endlessly and bonded beautifully at their first meeting. Their friendship began in 1967, when Hands became a member of the World Pen Friends Club. Duarte was already a member of the club. "I saw her name and address in a leaflet of the club. I decided to type a letter and send it across the seas to her along with four other pen pals from different countries," said Hands.
Within a couple of months, Hands received a letter from Duarte and from then on, there was no looking back. Their friendship grew stronger. Duarte and Hands became a part of every occasion and engagement involving the other, exchanging not only letters, but also cards and gifts from birthday celebrations to mourning the death of a family member. Duarte proudly showed a red album rich with memories of Hands's photographs from the time she got married till her third son, Paul, got married in February 2007.
Letters over e-mails
"There are more than 20 photographs of her on different occasions that she sent over the years. She looks pretty similar to the photographs I have," said Duarte smilingly. Both have also exchanged gifts.
While Hands sent a cushion cover displaying a map of New Zealand and a purse made of sheep wool, Duarte sent a wooden elephant and other artifacts.
The two exchanged e-mail IDs only in 2008. While they found the mode faster to converse, it wasn't as satisfying as writing a letter. And their letters were never less than three pages long. Duarte, who is "happily single", said, "I hate e-mail and other modes of contact, including speaking over the telephone. It doesn't give the feeling that reading a letter gives. Moreover, we can treasure letters."
Hands added, "A lot of effort goes into writing a letter or preparing and sending a card, which is not the case with an e-mail. Writing a letter gives a sense of bonding with the person and family."
Till recently, Duarte handwrote her letters, while Hands typed them for many years. According to the pen friends, letters are more nostalgic and rewind meaningful memories. "Through pen friendship, I have also collected many stamps of different countries," said Hands.
They intend continuing their 'pen' friendship of 42 years Duarte hand-writing her letters and Hands typing or e-mailing hers.
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