This Nivernaise maintained an epistolary relationship with an English correspondent for over 60 years!

A beautiful story is not believable. While most of us have a vague memory of the English, Spanish, Malagasy (and other) childhood reporter, Elian Lawford has left an indelible mark. And for good reason, Joan Cook, his British correspondent, with whom he maintains a friendship of over 60 years?!

First meeting at 8 p.m

Only Chanel separates the interests and lives of two girls who became teenagers and later adults. At the rate of once a month, they exchange. “In the beginning, I had to write in French and she had to write in English. But she didn’t speak French at all, so I ended up writing in English,” says the retired Nivernais. Blackening the paper in English for over sixty years.

Amid a pile of photos of meetings in Nivre and Durham, she adds: “It’s like a sisterhood now, we have such a solid friendship.”

Elian Lawford was 20 when she decided to cross the Channel and finally meet her friend. “I wanted to see her, to hug her.” Joan Cook met John and they ” policeman And Policewoman (Guard).

Our Anti-Depression Diary

Elian discovers England, driving on the left, gastronomy … “We are like two little birds: inseparable.” When Joan arrives in France, Elian dares to prepare snails. Success is not straightforward.

Christmas cards

Marriages, births, deaths… “No one, nothing [les] separates”. Each visited the other a dozen times, and the epistolary relationship, now digital, continues. The two friends together during their meeting.

“Every year, I have my Christmas card (Christmas card). This year, because of the strikes in England, I don’t have it at the usual time, and immediately, I’m worried,” Elian notes. love, love is the word that emerges from this chance encounter. And all of Joan’s letters to her friend will end FrenchmanElian.

Marie Lemaître
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