Special Delivery

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

~William Wordsworth~

I walked to my mailbox with the usual trepidation. The ONLY reason I go there is when I am starting to worry that the postman will issue me a citation for "full-upedness." What was my hurry, after all? Unlike the Fifth Dimension's hit song, I do not love Bill, I NEVER will, and when I look at him, I DO NOT see the passion eyes of May, I see PAY! When I arrived at the mailbox, Bill was there, as usual, but today was different. There was something else in the mailbox, something very special, something that I had not seen in a very, very long time. It was a letter with a beautifully handwritten address. I examined it very carefully, admiring the way my name was written in elegant cursive writing. Finally, I slid my finger between the flap and the envelope and tore into my "special delivery." I inspected the paper up and down, front and back. The stationary was cheerful with a very happy rainbow and floral design. At the top of each page was written, "May you find the special moments in each day." May you indeed!

As I began to read, I stopped to absorb the handwriting; the beautiful cursive letters that have become so "Greek" in today's world of modern technology. I began to read my special letter, penned with so much warmth and sincerity. As I neared the bottom of each page, a lump formed in my throat. I did not want it to come to an end. I was reminded of the times as a little girl when a letter would arrive from my grandmother. It was as exciting as opening packages on Christmas morning. She always had scented stationary and the fanciest writing you have ever seen, by little girl standards, at least. I would run to my Father's office to quickly write a reply. It was just as much fun.

It was the words at the end of my special delivery that made the most impact. "I know e-mail is faster, but being a traditionalist, I believe a handwritten letter is more personal. I am trying to keep myself true to my beliefs and not succumb to the technology that eliminates human touch." How profound is that? Do you remember the last time you received a handwritten letter? I picked my brain trying to remember, to no avail. Thank you dear Annie for your written words. You have humbled me and motivated me to send out a few handwritten letters of my own. Prior to your letter, I could not be bothered to take the time. I feel ashamed. Unlike you, I have allowed modern technology to impede on my sense of goodness.

Ironically, I am the one who screams the loudest when I receive those cards at Christmas which are stamped (usually in gold letters) with each family members name. Address label, as well as return address label, are typed and computer generated onto self-adhesive labels. And of course the message inside sure wasn't thought up by you or even Santa Claus for that matter. Not so much as a "Hi, how are you?," "Have a great year!," or a "Kiss my bum!" written ANYWHERE!! Every now and again, I might get a "Merry X-mas." What the hell is that?!! Are you too lazy to write out the word "Christ?" Remember Him? The one the "holiday" is all about? Grrrrrrr! Newsflash!! It DOES NOT warm the cockles of my heart to know that your computer was thinking of me during the Holidays!!!

I hope this message (I can't bring myself to type out the word blog for fear of the hypocrisy behind this whole message) will inspire you to sit down and write someone a handwritten letter. Wouldn't it be exciting to bring back the days of staring out the window in anticipation of the mailman's arrival instead of closing the blinds in his face? Now go do the "write" thing!

Peace Out,
The Paper Whisperer