Man receives Father's Day card from late son 26 years after he sent it

LYNCHBURG, Virginia (WABC) -- When 87-year-old Duane Schrock received a Father's Day card from his late son, he said it was "unbelievable."

"Somebody picked up the ball and carried it," he Schrock said. "After all these years, they must have forwarded it."

The card has been returned to sender, forwarded and juggled for almost 30 years. Schrock has moved around the country several times, and the card just couldn't catch up with him.

"I still kind of tear up when I think about it, to get it just a few days after Father's Day, mailed in 1989 for Father's Day," he said.

Schrock said his son passed away in 1995. He was only 45 years old when he died of AIDS.

Schrock said he didn't agree with his son's homosexual lifestyle, and their relationship was, at times, tumultuous. So to get this card 26 years later, he said it's like a sign from heaven that his son is doing just fine.

The card read: "Dear, Dad, we haven't been in touch for quite a while, I'm doing fine and am very happy in Richmond, I'd like to hear from you. Have a Happy Father's Day, Love Duane."

"It was sure welcome, and it restored faith in the mail service," he said.

Schrock says he wants to thank all the mail workers, who he feels they bent over backwards for close to 30 years to get him that card. He says he couldn't be more grateful.