Putting It in Writing

I was twelve years old when my youngest sibling was born. I was third oldest, in a family of seven children. My mom was very busy with running a household. I was so thrilled to have another little brother so I basically "adopted" him as my own. I loved that little guy and spent hours and hours carrying him around and  feeding him his bottles. As he grew, I played games with him, taught him  him and my second youngest brother songs while I played guitar, spent time with him outdoors, and even taught him dance steps to Abba songs (our favorite memory)! This created a special bond which we still have to this day.

When he was about eight years old, I moved out of our family home for good. When he was ten, I moved a good day and some's travel away from home to take on my very first teaching position as a Grade 3 teacher in a small remote village on Vancouver Island. It seemed like a million miles away.

Recently I came across a letter I received during that time.  On one side was my dad's handwriting, a  letter telling me how proud he was of me. He had suggested my little brother write me on the back of the page. What a memory! I valued those letters so much.  I have stored this wrinkled, repeatedly folded and unfolded page in its original envelope in  my bedside table drawer for many years--I don't want to risk misplacing it. It is a connection to that special time in my life when I was beginning to venture out into the world as a young adult.

For my brother's birthday this year, I sent him a card with a copy of his letter included in it. We had a great time reminiscing about it.

The art of handwritten communication is worth reviving. Somehow an email doesn't bring the same sense of joy and appreciation as a handwritten card or letter, does it? I hope to do better and send more personal notes and less emails to thank or celebrate those I appreciate.

Do you value handwritten cards and letters?