As New Year’s Day approaches, most of us will probably reflect on how we can improve or alter our lives.

Those beneficial ideas can come, for instance, from many sources, like examples from others, self-help literature, or even healthier diets and lifestyles to name a few.

For me, however, my intentions are to once again go over the wise counsel given to me in a series of letters written by a remarkable and compassionate woman.  This correspondence began in 1957 and ended with her death in 1964.  Her thoughts came to me at a crucial time in my life.  I was moving from childhood towards adolescence and beyond into young adulthood.

A French-Canadian from Montreal, Aliette Mercier and her family had befriended my father many years earlier when he was a medical student there.  Those bonds of affection endured and drifted down into my generation.  When she discovered, through my parents, that I was interested in learning French she started writing to me.  She insisted that I call her “tante” (aunt) and referred to me as “mon petit neveu” (my little nephew).

She first began by sending me gifts like books of French poems, picture postcards of Montreal, and even a pair of knitted gloves.  Her letters followed with parts in French and other segments in English.

By the way, she was a school teacher as well as a spiritual counselor working through her local Catholic church.

Tante Aliette’s first letter, dated December 15, 1957, contained greetings for the season and this jewel:  “Always do something good for others every day, even if it seems unimportant.  Try to do this not just in the coming year but in those to come.”

She added, “Listen to your parents and always be respectful.  Everything they do is for your benefit.  As you grow into manhood you’ll understand this more clearly.”

 Incidentally, she would write me two or three times a year.  She’d always talk about the weather, where she’d gone for vacation and so on.  My replies to her touched on nearly the same subjects.  But the letters she’d send me around the holidays had a different tone to them.  I could tell from her words that she was truly interested in my well-being.

 On Dec. 9, 1959, she penned, “Whenever possible try to help the elderly especially if they’re ill.  Likewise, when you’re near a child show him kindness.  Even a smile can go a long way.  All of this can strengthen your maturity.  I hope you see my words as both guides and friends.”

 Tante Aliette was neither pushy nor preachy.  I felt that her thoughts were coming straight from her heart.  To me she was like family and I intended to pay attention to her advice.

As the years passed and I was about to complete high school, her words became even more poignant and meaningful.

“There are certain virtues,” she wrote on Dec. 12, 1963, “…that are fundamental in life.  As you start this new year, think about honor, mercy, selflessness, and fortitude.  In one way or another, they all work together as your armor and won’t fail you.”

Tante Aliette’s letters, nearly 60 years old, are more priceless to me now than ever before.

Happy New Year to all.

 

O.J. GONZALEZis a native and resident of Jeanerette. He graduated from USL in printmaking and photography and his photographs have appeared in publications in Louisiana, Alaska, Canada, New Zealand and England.