Man writes letters to keep the faith, publishes book
LANCASTER – The book has no plot, but there is a story. It's a story of struggle and loss, of hope, joy and faith, all preserved in the monthly letters written for almost a decade to family and friends.
The first letter Jeffrey Faulkner wrote was about prayer. Dated April 1, 2005, Faulkner and his wife, Ruth, wrote and addressed the same letter to about 20 family members and friends late one evening after watching the news. The broadcast had disgusted his wife, Faulkner said, and she came up with the idea to write the letter because the couple wanted to find a way to spread inspiration and positive messages. So Faulkner wrote the letter.
Almost 10 years of those monthly letters, saved dutifully on Faulkner's computer, were published in the book, "Letters of Enlightenment," in December. Little has changed from the original letters — some spelling and grammar corrections were made and titles were added — but the sentiments remained the same. The book was published by Westbow Press based in Indianapolis.
Intermixed with Christmas stories, encouragements to take risks and reflections about love, readers of Faulkner's letters also follow his wife's struggles with ovarian cancer and her death in October 2008.
"It would be very difficult for me if I did not take one last time to write my monthly letter, this one about Ruthy," Faulkner's Nov. 1, 2008 letter begins.
But that was not Faulkner's last letter, not even for 2008. There is another letter dated Dec. 1, 2008, and they continue on. Years go by without Ruthy's name in the signature before Faulkner's second wife, Diane, makes her first appearance in February 2011. "Letters of Enlightenment" is dedicated to both of their first spouses, who were victims of cancer.
"This movie really has a happy ending, but it's just the beginning," Faulkner wrote at the end of the first letter after their wedding.
Writing a letter per month for almost 10 years has not always been an easy habit to keep. Deciding what to write about usually comes to him through prayer, Faulkner said. An avid runner, Faulkner also uses his time pounding the pavement for 6 to 7 miles per day to think about what the next topic will be. Being able to write about things he is passionate about has helped improve his writing, he said.
Faulkner, a graduate of Bishop Fenwick High School — now Fisher Catholic — studied communication at Ohio University, where he graduated in 1970. He went on to be a sports announcer at a radio station in South Carolina before moving back to Lancaster. Much of his family, including one of his two daughters, still lives in the Lancaster area.
In the spirit of the letter writing, Faulkner also is freely giving away books. Faulkner has given away books at homeless shelters and has brought many over to the Rutherford House. Ruth, Faulkner's late first wife, was Ruth Rutherford.
"I'll be sitting there eating in a restaurant and think, 'Oh, this waitress needs a little pick-me-up,' so I'll just give her a book," Faulkner said.
While the book has been published and can be found on Amazon.com now, Faulkner's letter-writing days are far from over. Currently, Faulkner's list of letter recipients is more than 70 names long; some of the letters are sent to people he has never even met.
"I write them, first, for myself," Faulkner said. "It got me through five years of cancer that my wife had. It's gotten me through a lot of other things.
"People are starving for good news, better news, and inspirational news," Faulkner said. "We all need to keep the faith."
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