A Letter From Alice . . .

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 25 June 1943, Page 3

A Letter From Alice . . .

Dear Boys and Girls, — I was walking down the path at home the other day, feeling somewhat dispirited, when something suddenly told me to look at the garden at the side. At first I couldn’t think what made me turn, but as I looked, I saw a little violet smiling up at me. “Don’t frown,” she seemed to say, “Spring is nearly here, and with her coming, everything will be much brighter. It can’t help it, you know.” I still frowned, but I could feel it growing lighter and more forced, as if it were an effort to keep those brows heavy and ugly. “Perhaps Spring has already started to come,” I thought. “After all, we have passed the middle of winter and now things must begin to look up. Perhaps we have passed the winter of our hardships in war, and spring will bring us better times as well as warmer weather.” The violet smiled, I’m sure she smiled and turned to her friend next door—the little daphne bush, and I could be positive she said, “You see? Alice has never noticed us before, and she has walked past us dozens of times a week. If she only bothered to look about her more, she’d have fewer black looks and heavy frowns.” It was then that the jonquil a few yards away chimed in: “Not only Alice, my friends,” she whispered. “If everyone glanced at us a little more, they would realise that God has found time in his very busy days to make us, and discovered a corner for us to cheer people if they are feeling unhappy.” She sighed. “If only people glanced at us more often, they’d find a reason for forgetting their worries—at least for the time being.” But I had to hurry on, and had no time to listen further. As I went off down the road I thought of the spring flowers’ message, and they reminded me of a little poem that was written by Patience Strong: In the turmoil and the frenzy of a world at war None had time to notice you by bank and cottage door. But God had time enough to spare to work this miracle To bring your green bud into life and j make you beautiful. Lovelier than ever at this time of ; stress and strain When so many souls are sick with sorrow and with pain. The Maker of the Universe has deigned to use His power To fashion for the heart’s delight this perfect little flower. It’s a pretty thought, don’t you think? With love until next week from your j friend, ALICE.