Joan and Margaret, Allies and Friends

By: Jodi Cross

My Mother and Margaret met as pen pals during World War II some 60 years ago. What was assigned as a school project to improve either cursive writing or ones geography and history skills ended up becoming a lifelong friendship. In the 1940’s the USA was at war, fighting what was called the Axis of Power also known as the German, Italian and Japanese aggression. A grammar school in Rochester, New York decided to have their children pick pen pals in the United Kingdom and start a writing campaign. The pen pal movement was happening all over the United States as a way to support our Allies and create a bound with their young children. Who knew from the age of eight, they would still be corresponding into their 80’s?

Mom told me she would write to Margaret every month and tell her about her hobbies, send pictures and discuss food rations and other details going on in America during war time. When a letter came back from England the postman would make a special announcement upon delivery. “Airmail for Joan”, mom would get so excited to see the thin, white envelope with the special international symbol on the outside of the fragile treasured correspondence. Margaret would tell of black-outs, air raids by German planes and shelling’s that would seem to last for days. She told mom of her and her sister’s move to the country were most children had been sent in order to be safe.

Although the war ended the letter’s and the friendship continued. In fact, Mom would consider Margaret one of her oldest friends. When I was a teenager we went to visit London to specifically meet Margaret. When the two of them first met face to face for the first time it was like old friend coming together and talking about childhood memories and secrets shared. Margaret grew up to be a school teacher and never married, over the years they would send pictures of children and weddings and share special occasions like birthday’s and holiday’s by phone. I remember how excited Mom would get when she would hear the crackle on the line and the little British voice chirping “Joanie”.

I visited Margaret again about 20 years ago with my cousin Colleen and one more time about 10 year back with my girlfriend Debi. Each time I would snap a picture, take her out to dinner and fill her in on the past decade of happenings in my Mother’s life in the states. She was always delighted to see me and hear all the news.

About a year ago, Mom sent a letter and it came back labeled return to sender. Margaret has no family left so we never had any other point of contact. Recently, we tried to call her flat but there never seems to be an answer. Mysteriously, last Christmas a package arrived with a little silver engraved pill box but no note. We knew it was from Margaret! We suspect she may have had a stroke and is unable to write but we are not certain. The gesture of the gift meant the world to my Mother. I know my Mom thinks about her all the time. She longs for one more air mail envelope to arrive in her box to let her know what has happened to her old friend from across the pond. 

Our countries started out as allies against evil and oppression but the result was a deep and rewarding multi-cultural friendship that lasted a lifetime, withstood the distance of an ocean and defied all odds. What a testament to the power of friendship and the human spirit. 

 Jodi Cross is a marketing consultant, speaker and writer and can be reached at jcross@crossnm.com.