DEAR ABBY: I'm a sophomore attending college in Houston. Every once in a while since I've been in school, I would receive an e-mail message from my grandmother with a nice poem or meaningful essay. I never questioned where she got them because she has always loved to read, and I knew she probably ran across things like that quite often.
On my last birthday in July, she sent me a copy of your booklet titled "Keepers," and as I flipped through it I recognized several of the pieces she had sent me. Then I knew where she had gotten them.
Gramma died suddenly last month of a massive stroke. It was a shock to all of us because we had no idea she wasn't in tiptop shape.
Last week, Mom and I went to her home to sort through her things and distribute her belongings to family members or her favored charities. I found your booklet in her night stand, right next to her Bible. She must have treasured the booklet to have kept it next to her Bible, which she read every day without fail.
Thank you, Abby, for putting so many meaningful things in one booklet. I'm sure she isn't the only one who has enjoyed it. I will treasure my copy even more knowing she liked it, too. -- CYNTHIA BETH IN HOUSTON
DEAR CYNTHIA BETH: Thank you for your heartwarming letter. It pleases me that your grandmother shared her favorite pieces from "Keepers" with you. Please accept my deepest sympathy for the death of your beloved Gramma.