Pen and Paper

Much preferred.

I never had the type of relationship with my mother where I could call her by the name “Mommy.”  I would have loved to, but I don’t know how well it would have been received. My mother was a woman who seldom expressed her emotions. This was a family trait. Whereas I, on the other hand, loved sweet terms of endearment and the very idea of the word, schmaltz.

However, a wonderful thing happened toward the latter part of my mother’s life, tangible  proof of which I have kept securely in a burgundy colored archival box. Here you will find a treasure trove of greeting cards sent by my mother, expressly for me. And, inside each of these cards, she expressed her love in her own words and in her own beautiful handwriting.  They were infused with her love for me.

Now that my mother is gone, I don’t think there is anything I value more than these cards. They remain the closest link to remembering both her physical and personal energy. And for a moment in time, I have a glimpse into her heart and a direct line to her soul.

I remain an ardent fan of sending traditional greeting cards: miniature expressions of sentimentality and art. After all, what would life be like without a birthday or holiday card? It is not a world I would wish to live in.

I now have friends and family who prefer to send digital greeting cards by way of an e-mail. But it is not the same. I doubt very much that I will ever hold their message in my hand and feel the exchange of their feelings as I do with a personally handwritten card. And it isn’t as exciting to open an online celebratory greeting.

A number of years ago, I read an interesting article on the subject of writing by hand, which has since stayed with me. Holding a pen or pencil places the thumb and index finger into the formation of a mudra. Mudras are spiritual and symbolic hand gestures that influence the brain and body via energetic channels. This connection facilitates the ability for increased memory. I further believe that this particular connection between the fingers also increases the transference of knowledge and inspiration. 

During this past year, my favorite store in town closed shop. It was the only place where I could find a plethora of greeting cards to meet everyone’s needs. I relished the act of choosing a specific card for a specific person and occasion. I sincerely hope this form of correspondence does not go by the wayside. The importance of greeting cards in our lives is far too great and one that I much prefer.