Day 189
11/20/22
Today was a day to catch up on some of my correspondence. I absolutely LOVE to get letters and cards in the mail! I also enjoy choosing (or creating) just the right card for a special person to enjoy. While I worked, my editors were all at my feet...snoring away!
The trend seems to be away from "snail mail" in recent years. It is simple, quick and amazing to send a text or message to connect with those we love. I do enjoy that form of communication! However, even though I may be accused of being old-fashioned, there's nothing like checking the mailbox and finding a note addressed to me!
I already wrote about my grandmother who received a card from her lonely, college granddaughter and it opened up the door to a wonderful relationship. That was a gift.
Another relationship that blossomed over the years was the result of a chance meeting and a promise to write. Daughter Amanda became pen pals with a Texan when she was about ten. These two met at a world tournament for Destination Imagination (Odyssey of the Mind). They wrote frequently over the years and became very close. At some point, through and email, I reached out to ask her pen pal for a favor. That email led to more emails over the years. The emails morphed into snail mail and then airplane tickets. I eventually married her pen pal! It was like Mac and I were stars in a remake of "You've Got Mail!"
I have a beautiful box which holds so many of my beloved correspondences collected over the years. At times, I open it up and reread those cards and letters that warmed my heart, gave me courage, shared a celebration or lifted my spirits. Other cards in my collection are simply posts from beloved friends. I treasure them all!
One such correspondent is my favorite college professor from the University of Minnesota. Margaret lit the fire that propelled me into my final degree in literacy. I once spoke at a large gathering and was humbled to be asked if I would introduce my professor as the next speaker. I agreed and, part of the introduction was, "I would like you to meet the woman I want to be when I grow up!" This amazing woman eventually hired me at the University of Wisconsin River Falls and I had the pleasure of learning even more from her as a colleague. Now, we have evolved to a treasured friendship where I am lucky enough to receive hand-made cards with photos she has taken. I LOVE to open the mailbox and get a "Margaret Card!"
Just the other day, our sweet neighbors (ages 6 and 4) created get-well cards for Mac and myself. They were so very sweet! Do you think those will make it into my box?
Now, as I use Facebook as one of my avenues of written communication, I enjoy the immediate connections and heartfelt responses. However, if time permits, I still prefer handwritten notes and cards. I know the pups are happy when I spend the afternoon creating notecards and writing to beloved friends...they can simply sleep under the table and know I am their captive. Now if they could just be my spellcheck...
