My cousin, my sister, my friend!

I have a cousin I have never met. We have written to each other and researched our Lillie family for over 25
years. We are similar ages and I think share similar interests. Our grandparents, William Rayburn Lillie (on the left with an "X") and Annie Lillie Robinson (at the bottom on the right, Annie Lillie, Ruby Lillie (married name Angell), children of Thomas Lillie and Hannah Groat and Roy Lillie, their nephew, son of William Rayburn Lillie and Helen Gray) were brothers and sisters and lived in Guelph Township, Wellington County, Ontario and later in nearby Salem, Nichol Township, Wellington County. When Arlene's grandmother, Annie, died at a young age her daughter, Arlene's mother, Geraldine Robinson, was raised by our great-grandmother Hannah Groat Lillie, in Salem in a home vacated by my grandparents William Rayburn and Helen Gray Lillie, when they moved west to Manitoba in 1908. Hannah and Geraldine are pictured on the right. Her first letter to me dated January 2, 1985 starts;

Dear Sharon, (my own middle name is Arlene ...)
My name is Arlene .... and I am a member of the Church in North Bay, Ontario. I have been doing genealogy on my mother's family and it appears we have something in common ... Would you be interested in corresponding and sharing whatever details we have on these ancestors. I hope to hear from you soon ... she did and we have shared and shared and shared. Her valediction then was, Sincerely, Arlene ...

My response to her dated 11 January, 1985 begins;

Dear Arlene,
I was so excited to get your letter, in fact tears came to my eyes as I read it. I have spent so many years researching the Lillie line and up until now have never run into anyone, in my (extended) family who (shares my religious background.) ... Two summers ago I spent two weeks in Ontario doing genealogy and I have had such an urge to go back every summer since. I felt so much at home there." Sincerely, Sharon ...

... when we write it is no longer sincerely, but definitely "love." I love this cousin, sister, friend. Again, we still have never met, which leaves a little hole in my heart, but as the years have passed and we have grown as mothers and wives we have shared stories and support. I feel like I know her family somewhat. She is a much better researcher than I, and I am sure a much better person. Letters have changed to email and occasionally a call. There is still excitement in our finds and I still shed tears (I am right now). This past summer she lost her sister and I know I don't feel her sadness, but I feel sad for her. That is what happens when you love someone. So the Spirit of Elijah draws families together here and beyond this earthly existence. She will be richly rewarded for all she has done for her family and many others on both sides. She has been a wonderful example to me ... my cousin, my sister, my friend! (for you and Shirl)