A few years ago, I was thumbing through a small stack of photographs, when I happened upon a small yellow post-it note. I gasped, I couldn’t help myself. On the note was written only one word, my name. Seeing my name was only a tiny part of the significance, my name was written in the unmistakable handwriting of my mother. My mother who had passed away years earlier.
Seeing the letters formed in her personal handwriting instantly transported me to memories of her and her nearly always busy hands. Handwriting can be magical like that.
Handwriting over a person’s life can be like a time stamp. The way a five year old writes to the way the same human as a fifteen year old writes is so different.
Which brings me to the beautiful personal touch of a handwritten note. Kayleen’s daughter and I are pen pals. We have been exchanging letters for nearly 5 years. It’s delightful to actually receive real correspondence in the mail box and not just advertisements. Letters can be a unique and beautiful personal connection, once again because of that amazing element of the handwriting and of course because of the very words themselves.
Other reasons to pick up a pen instead of a keyboard include:
- Handwritten notes are incredibly personal and become keepsakes when they express love, appreciation and even happy memories. (Love note Journal—all your cards in one place!)
- Your handwriting is unique. It can be an identifying factor! It’s as personal a fingerprint. Write a little note, giving a bit of yourself! A post-it in a child’s lunch or an index card left on your loved one’s car all are small kindnesses that add up to terrific connection.
- Gifts come and go with their usefulness, but a handwritten note can be treasured past the time that even a useful gift can last! No poetry needed! Just write a few sincere words of love and appreciation, the kind of note that will lift another!
Friends, corresponding through texting and emailing is so easy and convenient. However, for your favorite humans, occasionally write a handwritten note, so they will know to treasure that little part of you. Finding that tiny little post it note from my mom was a momentary gift. You can leave those gifts too.
