Christmas card passed back & forth since 1969

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In 1969, West Liberty resident Virginia Kaska, who was living in Washington County at the time, was the recipient of a beautiful Christmas card from her life long friend Esther Frohardt of Centennial, Colorado.

Virginia explains she sent the card back to Esther with a short message at Christmas time in 1970.

Amazingly, the two have exchanged that exact same card every year since!

Once the card was filled with messages on the inside and back, Esther did suggest they stop. Instead, Virginia went ahead and simply stapled a folded sheet of paper inside the card for their messages, and sent the card back.

Virginia shared a few samples of their writings, which have included Christmas related scripture as well as holiday greetings:

'May you experience the wonder and love that comes with this season when we celebrate the birth of Christ.”

“May the hope that was born that silent night remain in your heart throughout the year.”

“May all that Christmas really means---its peace, its joy, and its love, be yours.”

Virginia has lived in Iowa all her life. She and Esther first met when both attended Sunday school in West Chester. Virginia grew up on a farm. She attended college where she earned a teaching degree. She went on to substitute teach in area schools, when not busy working on the farm. Eventually retirement brought her to West Liberty 24 years ago. She has two children and one grandchild.

Esther attended the (then) American Institute of Business in Davenport. She worked as a secretary until she married. She and her spouse lived in Bettendorf. They moved to Colorado shortly before the card exchange began. She has three children and five grandchildren.

Virginia adds that the exchange happened at a time neither were so busy raising a family.

Esther commented to Virginia recently that, “she was glad we had continued.”

As one of their card messages reads, in the words of Bob Hope, “When we recall Christmas past, we usually find the simplest things, not the great occasions, give off the greatest glow of happiness.”

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