My good blogging buddy, Dianna over at These Days of Mine posted yesterday about old-fashioned handwritten letters and notes and issued a challenge for readers to hand write a letter or note to someone each week. Click here to read her thoughts.
In this age of smart phones, tablets, and laptops, I’m still a handwriting person. I hand write grocery lists. I hand write notes. I hand write recipes. I hand write my “to do” lists. And occasionally, I still hand write letters.
So accepting her challenge is right up my alley. It also prompted me to thinking about how much I love getting a handwritten letter in my own mail box and inspired me to share one of my old posts about finding mail (but not the bills!) in my actual mailbox.
So today is a “Throwback Thursday” post I wrote nine years ago back in 2010.
Mail delights me.
I’m not talking email, but good old fashioned letters sealed in envelopes, letter or business size; addressed to me; adorned with one of a myriad of stamp designs; and delivered to my mail box at the end of my driveway by my faithful mail delivery person.
As long as I can remember, getting mail has been a significant aspect of my day. I have always been enchanted by receiving mail and Christmas time, when my mailbox gets stuffed with cards from friends near and far, sends me into sheer bliss. I actually fight with my family over who gets to open the Christmas cards each day, and I’m a little ashamed to admit I want to be first!
Getting mail is a ritual of my day that I don’t like to miss, whether it’s stopping by my mailbox on my way home from the office or walking up my long, gravel driveway on my day off to retrieve the mail. Want to make me giddy with glee? Send me mail!
Where did this quirky facet of my personality come from? How did receiving mail become such a priority in my life?
I’m not certain, but I can remember as a very young child asking my parents every day if there was any mail for me. Sadly, the answer was always no until one miraculous day. I can honestly recall the very first time I ever received mail addressed only to my 4-year-old self.
That day was a day like no other; it was a day when the universe seemed to acknowledge that I existed. It was such a monumental occasion that I still remember – even now – the feeling I encountered when my mom uttered the magical words, “You’ve got mail!”
A captivating communiqué just for me! Charming correspondence addressed to me! Exciting epistle delivered to me! It was a phenomenal moment.
The envelope was large and my name and address were written on it in strong, sure handwriting that looked familiar – distinguished handwriting that I would discern and recognize as I got older.
On the right hand corner of the envelope was a 3-cent stamp. (Yep, it only cost three cents to send a letter back then.) Inside that envelope was a comical greeting card with a crazy cartoon cat. The card was a Valentine and it was signed, “Love, Your Daddy.”
Yes, I had an amazing father, whom I loved and cherished, and he made me feel very special. And that very first piece of mail he sent to me was, and still is, a treasure. Over 50 (now 60!) years later, I still possess that piece of mail, envelope and all, preserved in my memento box.
What makes me disheartened today is that people don’t send mail like they did in the past. Letters and cards don’t magically arrive in my mailbox on a daily basis. Instead there are unwanted advertisements, unsolicited requests for monetary contributions for causes or political campaigns, bills (there’s always lots of those), an occasional catalog.
The crusade to perform all your communication electronically seems to have won the day for most people. So tell me, what will a little girl save in her memory box? Will she really remember that one time her daddy sent her an email or text message?
As often happens, my mind turns to spiritual thoughts as I write this. Wouldn’t it be amazing, I think, to get mail from God?
You open your mail box to discover a brilliantly luminous envelope addressed in your name written in exquisite gold filigree lettering. Turning the envelope over, you get a whiff of the most fragrant sealing wax on the back, embossed with “I AM.”
You carefully slit open the envelope to find the most beautifully textured, translucent piece of vellum your hands have ever touched. Unfolding it, your eyes fall upon these words, “My Dearest Daughter (or Son) …”
You can’t wait to behold what this magnificent missive, this lustrous letter has to impart to you. Eagerly you continue reading, “I have known you and loved you even before I created you. Why do you think I have never ‘sent’ you anything before this letter? I sent you my love and faithfulness (Psalm 57:3). I sent you my one and only Son, Jesus Christ, so you may have eternal life. (John 3:16) I sent you the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, to teach you all things and remind you of everything Jesus said. (John 14:26) And I have sent you my living and holy Word to read for understanding and guidance. Dear beloved one, I send you ‘mail’ every day. All you have to do is have faith, believe in me, communicate with me in prayer, and look for my daily mail. Love beyond measure, Your Eternal Father God.”
You’ve got mail. All you have to do is open up your mailbox (your Bible) and accept it.
“All a good letter has to do is make you feel special.” ~ unknown
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Mama's Empty Nest 
Handwriting is family history!
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This is so great! I too still write quite a few things by hand and especially love getting mail – REAL mail! The card from your dad is incredibly sweet and it’s lovely to know you’ve held onto it all these years.
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Thanks, Lesley! Isn’t real mail the best?? Good to know I’m not alone with my pen and paper. 😃
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Aw, I’m glad that my post yesterday brought this one of yours to mind, and that you shared it again!
When I was a little girl, I loved getting the Weekly Reader in the summertime. Not only was it fun to read and work the puzzles, but it was addressed to ME.
Yes, God does send us mail everyday in so many ways!
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Your post was such a great catalyst, Dianna! Thank you! Oh, Weekly Readers!! I had forgotten about those. I too loved getting those in the summertime. Since I loved mail so much as a child, my Mom also got me magazine subscriptions – Children’s Playmate and Highlights are two that I remember most,
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Hand written letters are the best things ever! I loved Dianna’s challenge and I have tried to do 40 letters in Lent the past 5 years or so and it has been such a wonderful practice for me. Why am I not surprised that this is something you would get behind? Hugs!
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Of course, since I am a list maker (with pen and paper), I’m going to make a list of those I want to write a note or letter to. Some habits just don’t die. 🙂
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I don’t usually smile at 5:30am, but the part of you getting mail from your dad put one on my face 🙂
I used to send a card to one friend or family member once a month. I’ve not done that in over 10yrs. I still write my grocery list, but if I’ve forgotten to put something on it, I’ll text it to myself. My monthly budget I still do by hand……pen & paper! My dil keeps trying to get me to use some computer program for it…..but I don’t think I ever will.
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Michele, it puts a smile on my face to know that my post made you smile at 5:30 am! I’m also glad to hear there are other “dinosaurs” like me who still use pen and paper. 😉 Since his semi-retirement, my hubby has taken over the chore of our budget and he uses the computer for it. Of course, he’s more into gadgets than I am. Thank you for your comment. Be blessed.
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