Handwriting and Memories

Thanks to all of you who responded with your own hydration stories  A recurring comment was about not realizing medications will dehydrate us.  Good for all of you who now have a higher level of awareness that hydrating your body is essential every day, all day, and every season of the year.

Sunday, March 15^th Parade magazine had a wonderful article on letter writing.  A few weeks ago, I wrote about the importance of writing thank you notes, however, this article takes it one step further.  It also brought up several personal memories and reflections relating to not only letter writing but also the importance of handwriting!!

Last summer, I was going through a safety deposit box and stumbled upon an envelope. In the envelope was a Savings Bond given to me by my Grandma and Grandpa Tilden when I was 16!! That was 47 years ago.  On the envelope was a handwritten message from each of my grandparents in their own handwriting.  I was in one of the private booths, fortunately, as I found myself in tears and overwhelmed with so many memories.  Priceless!  The link between handwriting and one’s memory is so strong and beautiful.  I don't know the science behind it although I'm sure there’s something.  I just know there is some kind of link to handwriting and our memories.

Jon’s mom had the habit of getting all the birthday and anniversary cards for the upcoming month ready to go, ahead of time… addressed, stamped, and signed.  Under the stamp location she would put the date the card needed to be sent to get to the person on time.  In 1997, the middle of April, Grandma Burianek died suddenly. Jason’s birthday is April 29^th, and on that day he received his birthday card with Grandma’s handwriting on the envelope and “Love, Grandma B” signed on the inside.  Grandpa Burianek made sure all the April cards were sent.  Priceless!  That card was one of the first things unpacked and placed on his dresser, a year later, as Jason settled into his dorm room in college.  When asked about it, he said that looking at Grandma’s signature brought back so many memories.  Now 18 years later, married and with two children, that special card is still on Jason’s dresser. 

In sorting through old boxes last week, I came across one box labeled Clarence and another Caroline.  (Jon’s mom and dad.)  Going through the boxes there were wave after wave of emotions, reflections, and "traveling down memory lane" for the next couple hours.  Priceless!  There were hand written notes, cards, her journal, and an array of other wonderful things she had kept.  In a small pink box with blue felt lining was a heart pin.  The handwritten note inside read, “Dad sent this to me in 1943 when he was in the Navy, and I lived alone in Chicago with Penny May (Jon’s older sister), just a baby.  I read this note and envisioned a young woman with a new baby, alone in an apartment, and worried about her husband halfway around the world fighting in a war.  If it were not for the note, we would not understand the significance of the heart pin. Priceless!

As stated in the Parade article about letter writing, Liz Welch writes, “Whatever their content, it’s not just the words that give letters their power – it’s the emotional connections.  Whether saved, framed, or filed, they're tangible proof of relationships.  Each time they’re read, they transport us back to our feelings about a specific time, place, person, or event.”  I would extend these words to not only letters, but handwritten notes, recipes, favorite quotes etc.  The key…HANDWRITTEN.  Sending an email, text, making a phone call are all fine, but they don't create memories and they're not tangible.  I can tell you that a handwritten note to an athlete from the head coach makes a HUGE impact and leaves a positive impression on a young man or woman.  It’s all about the impression that someone cares enough to take the time to hand write something. 

HANDWRITING!  “This emotional connection may be the reason hand-written communications are making a comeback.”  It doesn't matter if you print, use cursive (yes, some of us still use cursive), or if you don't have very “nice” handwriting.  The important part is one, you do handwrite some things, two, you date the note, letter etc. and three you sign it, if applicable.  It’s the handwriting itself that has the memory link, not the words. It’s the visual recognition of a particular handwriting that triggers a vision of that person.  I know exactly when I’m getting a letter from my mom or one of my sisters or sister-in-laws.  I know their handwriting and there’s an anticipation to read what’s inside.

What can you do TODAY that will lead a trail to you?  What memories, through your handwritten recipe, card, note of encouragement, etc. will you leave behind for your family?  If nothing else start saving things that are important to you, put a quick sticky note on things that could use a little description for clarification, and put them in a box.  That takes little time and your children, grandchildren, and future generations will be the beneficiaries of your attention.  If you're single now, this still applies to you.   This is only one part of your life that you too want to remember and is a reflection on what’s important and personal to you. 

“We are all in desperate need for tactile proof that we matter – handwritten letters, notes, cards etc give us all just that.”  Priceless!

Here’s to a healthy mindset that individually we each matter.  We can make a small difference in someone else’s life as well as creating a generation of memories through something as simple as our handwritten notes.  What can you do TODAY?