Letter Found On North Fork Beach Sparks Wonder: 'Dear To My Heart'

NORTH FORK, NY — A letter washed up on a North Fork beach has sparked a sense of wonder about what brought the missive to the sandy shoreline.

Holly Browder posted on Facebook Thursday, saying she'd found the letter sealed in plastic and wrapped with duct-tape Thursday morning on Bailie Beach in Mattituck. The letter, she said, was in Arabic; she asked if anyone was able to translate.

According to a translation provided by Matthew van den Berg, Browder said she believed the letter read:

"The name of Allah the Merciful
September 2022 AD
My dear mother Kalki, I received the letter
Very happy and thank God for the safe arrival.
I miss you so much and hope to see you soon
Soon, God willing.
I loved the pictures. And all the happy drawings, especially the ones
I have drawn paths and Mubarak Kalki will love them
Without a doubt. I always think of you and remember
All the good times we spent together,
I always pray that God will bring us together again very soon. I am praying for you.
From the bottom of my heart, may God make everything easy for my mother
It is difficult and protect her from all evil
At her age, she is blessed with health and wellness.
My mother, God, is always dear to my heart
And I know that God is with you and protects you from all
Something, I pray to God to protect you and make you happy
And keep us safe.
Your son"

Browder said there was no name included in the translation, so there was no way to research the sender, the recipient, or what the letter had come from.

Browder said she normally walks Bailie Beach with Kendal Bayer and their two dogs, Marty and Jake.

"We usually pick up trash on our daily morning beach walk with the dogs," she said. "This was obviously a bag that had been sealed to keep out water, with something inside. Luckily, the duct tape peeled off, and we were able to open the bag to retrieve an intact and dry card."

The letter, she said, was sprayed with cologne, and the card was adorned with hearts and XOXOs.

"I thought it might be a love letter," she said.

The experience was one she'll always remember, Browder said.

"Usually we are thrilled to find an interesting piece of beach glass," she said. "This was extra special."