They say that "snail mail" is a dying art. And you know, for the most part I kinda-sorta agree. I'll admit I do more with email, Facebook posts, instant messaging, text messaging, cell phone calls, skype communications, and web-based greeting cards than ever before. Long gone are the days when I'd sit down to compose a note worthy of a stamp on a regular basis (if at all--thank you, carpal tunnel).
But as true as it may be that we've become more of a technology-driven, somewhat de-personalized society when it comes to "staying in touch" with others, I think the sentiment behind handmade/handwritten greetings still exists. Sure, I may send more long emails these days in lieu of longhand letters, but I can still appreciate the thought behind a handmade greeting card or an out-of-the-blue "I've been thinking of you" note from a friend.
I got such a card in the mail yesterday and it just so happens that it was a handmade card from someone I hadn't heard from in eons. And you know...that was probably one of the best, most memorable "mail moments" I've ever had, walking back from the mailbox, ripping open the envelope after trying desperately to recognize the handwriting on the outside. She'd not only thought of me enough to want to touch base but she'd "cared enough to send the very best"--a card she'd made herself. It wasn't my birthday or my anniversary. It wasn't with sympathy, for thanks, or a "save the date" memento reminding me of an upcoming special occasion. Mother's Day came and went weeks ago, Friendship Day isn't until August and it's far too early to consider Christmas even if you do celebrate it some in July. This card came "Just Because" and I think that's why it meant so much.
So on the way to work this morning, after I'd hung up the phone with my friend (you know, "thanks for the card, I loved it, where did you get that super-cute stamp you used and how did you make the __ with the __," and so on, so forth) I got to thinking about this "lost art" and what I could do to preserve it so that someday my daughter and my daughter's daughter won't think it so foreign a concept.
I came to the realization that there's not enough "just because" out in the world today. And while there's not much I can do to change that, per se, I can certainly do my part to reach out to others if for no other reason at all than to simply say "hey, you mean the world to me" or "how 'bout lunch sometime next week?"
I'm not saying that emails aren't important or that you can't communicate the same sentiments typing on a keyboard...not at all. But there's just something about "snail mail" that brings out the "warm and fuzzies" like nothing else. Your words don't have to be eloquent or the card design perfect...what matters in the long run is the stamp on the outside and your handwriting on the front of that envelope. So go ahead... grab a few paper scraps, a favorite card sketch, draw some inspiration from a previous card class and make someone's day....and do it "just because".
Cards displayed in this post are taken from the Basic Grey Lime Rickey, Wisteria, June Bug and Lemonade Greeting Card kits! June Bug and Lime Rickey coming soon!
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