The family gathered at her favorite Chinese buffet. A triple dozen kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, and their significant others.

Caitlin stood and clinked her glass to get their attention. Her voice trembled at first, but she breathed deep. “Thank you for being here.”

Throat aching, she pushed on. “You know how Mama loved her typewriter. It was her most cherished gift from Daddy. She asked me to share a letter with you, and a gift for everyone.”

Don set a clanking box on the table and withdrew a handful of gleaming metal. A typewriter key dangled from each keychain.

After he’d handed them out, Caitlin said, “Here’s the letter.”

Hello, dear ones,  

Arnie wasn’t too good at talking about his feelings, but that man sure could write. We typed so many letters on our Underwood. It healed rifts, solved problems, and kept our marriage hot.

Caitlin waited out the laughter…