To her cousin Josephine Perier, Baronesse de Savoye-Rollin

September 2, 1839 ~  Philippine writes to her cousin Josephine, "How grateful I am that time has never lessened your friendship! On August 29 I began my 71st year, and I calculate that soon you will do the same, as there is but a few months' difference in our ages.  Think of me in your prayers.  You are often in mine, for I am your most loving friend, Philippine." 

Taken from the book:  Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne

To her sister Euphrosine, Madame Jean-Joseph Jouve

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

July 7, 1852 ~ Philippine Duchesne writes to her sister Euphrosine, "At our age we should like to enjoy peace, tranquility, and the sweetness of friendship, yet we must bear our burden of years along with the suffering that comes from misfortune, whether in public affairs or in our personal lives.  Old age has many sacrifices to make, and these can be of great value as one's purgatory - a less rigorous one than might come to us in the next life."

As my own birthday is approaching I was drawn to what Philippine wrote to her sister on this day. The above quote was taken from: "Through the Year with Philippine Duchesne".