I am blessed to teach at a Christian School. Three days a week we walk what we talk to our students about by getting together, touching base, reading a bit of scripture, praying for one another, and learning more about how we can each best do this thing called life together. We have each others' backs. This morning in staff devotions we covered the first bit of Romans 16, which opens with a long list of personal greetings that Paul is asking to be sent on his behalf while he himself is far away from home and loved ones. We were asked to consider the importance of personal greetings.
I immediately traveled in my mind to the drawer at home and the file (bursting!) at school where I keep such treasures. The Mother's Day cards, anniversary cards, letters, and notes that so many have taken the time to send me all came to mind. I'm not a hoarder, really I'm not, but you can count on me saving a letter, note, card, or sticky note that someone took the time to write on just for me.
I traveled back in time some 14 years ago to my precious years at Brown Elementary where one Rob Spicer would frequently leave "Just a Note" on a bulletin board display my students and I had labored over.
In my mind I walked my short gravel drive to my mailbox, where many a day, just when I needed it the most, I would find a note, letter, or card from the great state of Kansas where letter writer Extraordinaire Aunt AnaMarie Slack is, as I type, still waiting patiently for this year's Christmas letter! (It's coming, I promise!) Or perhaps the postman left a card that day from Jaci or Kelly or Miss Melody or Annie or Renee or Meredith or my brother or one of my sisters.
I immediately traveled back to a few years ago now when that same trip to the mailbox would produce a letter that had traveled all the long way across the ocean from Africa, where my Peace Corps volunteering niece Jessica was serving.
I jumped back to each and every October in recent memory where this time the mailbox greeted me with the latest installment in the "Who Can Make The Other One Cry With Their Birthday Card Selection" contest that My Ol' Man and I have been having. (This last October I declared him the winner for once and for all...dang, that man can pick 'em!)
And, yes, I visited that "Rainy Day" file I have at school where I keep those notes and cards from students and parents. You know, the ones you read on the days when you question not only your decision to teach, but your very existence on the planet. The ones that tell you maybe you don't stink at what you do after all and maybe you should give it one more try before you consider actually handing in that resignation letter.
Okay, maybe I am a bit of a hoarder, but today I love a handwritten letter.
I too love a handwritten letter! I don't save anything but I have cards and notes from family, friends, and students. I'm excited at the mailbox to see a card has been delivered. As much as I love the simple convenience of my phone and computer, nothing compares to the thought of someone sitting down to write a message just for me. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love how you describe your walk down the gravel drive to your mailbox, eager to find something new to add to your treasure. I just sent a letter today, and it did feel really good to do things the old-school way... :)
ReplyDeleteLetters are definitely something worth hoarding. I have notes posted in my room from past teaching friends and administrators... and of course from my fab kids! I love a handwritten letter, too. :) Thanks for sharing your slice!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words...handwritten or typed, they mean a lot to me. I am so loving this challenge and the chance to get to connect and get feedback from so many others! (And good for you Ro, for sending that letter...think of the joy you created for someone walking to the end of their drive!)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Trish
What is it about a handwritten letter, Trish? I'm just terrible at writing handwritten letters, but I realize they probably carry even more weight than they did before the internet. A handwritten letter is a rare treat. However, with my writing I think typing is probably much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Cathy
Great post! I too have a rainy day file - actually a small drawer - that I look into when I need a reminder that what I'm doing matters. My co-teachers and I take our students on lots of field trips and writing notes of thanks is part of each student's reflection at the close of the trip. We field trip teachers have a bulletin board of thanks outside our office covered with copies of many of the thank you notes we felt needed a wider audience!
ReplyDeleteCathy, I've seen your handwriting and it's not true! Anyone who can write for first graders can write for anyone! I on the other hand should be making doctor's salary with the chicken scratch I have!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, as we go more and more toward paperless, handwritten is even more valuable. I wanted to include it on the very top of the photo but couldn't find it in time...somewhere here at home I have the only "to me" writing from my mom in the form of a postcard she sent me from a trip to NM about 18 mos before she died...must find...such a treasure! Sit down & write your own of town boy and girl a letter tomorrow...and pen one for your at home girl while you're at it! They'll love you for it!
*out of town...geesh!
ReplyDeleteI shall try to post this comment again. My Mom got her letter writing extra ordinariness from her Mom. My Grandmother used the written letter as her main means of communication to 2 out of state children and several in laws along the years. Even when I was a newlywed in Texas expecting my first child, her letters would help chase the homesickness away. She was also a diary keeper....years and years of diaries. I have the diary that was the year I was born. Her handwriting was beautiful up until the day she died, while I have to print for anyone to be able to read mine.
ReplyDeleteCyndi...I never knew you were a newlywed in Texas! What connections I am making! How precious to have an entire diary of your grandmother's! Keep it safe!
DeleteGlad you found out how to post...hope to see you back again!
Trish