Roberta, Did you also delete the 'delete' area in your e-mail? Until that area is deleted from your computer you have a second chance to find things. I have hotmail and it is on the left hand side. Click on 'deleted' and all the letters you deleted will be there. In gmail it is under 'Trash'. Most delete what you put there on a regular basis, but unless it was months ago it may still be there.
Good luck!