Hullo, everyone! This is a piece I wrote several years ago for a letter writing contest on Bonanza Brand and I thought I would share it with you.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza or the characters mentioned below. No monetary gain is being made from this story, I merely wrote it for my own enjoyment and for the entertainment of other Bonanza fans.

Enjoy and let me know what you think! ~ Knowing Grace

My dearest Mother,

Here I am sitting on the docks of Boston, watching the sun set in all its glory. It's funny how a simple part of nature can be so beautiful and meaningful at the same time, isn't it? The wondrous colors are more red than anything else, for the moment at least.

College has been good for me in a lot of ways, but I don't want to stay here in Boston, although many people—Grandfather for one—wish that I would. He doesn't understand that I need the wide open spaces about me; I can't stand to be cooped up in a suit and tie living in a city crammed full of thousands of others. I guess you would say I'm like Pa, at least, in that way I'm like him. He's so strong—Pa I mean. I hope and pray I may one day have his strength to help those around me with the skills I have been blessed with.

I visited Grandfather this evening and listened as he spoke of old times, good times, time spent with you before I was born. He described you in more vivid details than Pa ever has, but I think that is because his heart still hurts at the thought of you not here with him. He loved you and still does, I believe. There is something about a first love that never quite disappears from one's soul, even if the beloved dies or leaves for some reason. It's like the last stanza of that poem by Robert Burns:

And fare you well, my only Love,

And fare you well a while!

And I will come again, my Love,

Although it were ten thousand mile!

Pa told me that was your favorite poem. I've memorized it for what may seem to others like a silly reason, but somehow, the words make me feel closer to you than anything else ever could.

Ah! The canvas of the sky has now turned a burnished purple and I can hardly see the page before me. I must close soon, Mother.

Words are too much and at times too little, but I will try to speak from the heart as Mama Inger taught me. You would have liked Inger, Mother. She was so full of life, happiness and love…but I guess you already know, seeing as how she is up there in heaven with you.

I love you, Mother. You gave your life for mine and though I never got to meet you, I love you all the same. I am reminded of that verse from the Bible that says. "Love never fails." That is the kind of love I feel for you.

The sun is now gone and I can no longer see the tip of my pen. Good night, Mother; thank you for listening.

Love your devoted son,

Adam

He slipped the tear stained paper into a glass bottle and stoppered it. Making his way to the end of the dock, he gentle knelt down and placed it into the water, watching as it slowly floated away with the current.

And somewhere in heaven, Elizabeth Stoddard Cartwright smiled and blew her son a kiss.