SNAIL MAIL

"I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter, and make believe it came from you, I'm gonna write words oh so sweet. They're gonna knock me off my feet. Kisses on the bottom. I'll be glad I got 'em......."

For some reason, that song (not sure if the words are exactly right) popped into my head this morning when I sat down to write my blog post. I remember doing a tap dance number to it when I was a very little girl. 

The words make me think of a couple of things. First it reminds me of how much I miss getting old fashioned mail. They call it snail mail these days, but all I remember is the anticipation of receiving mail from someone special and of holding that mail in my hands when it arrived. 

When I went off to boarding school, at a tender age, I remember how excited I was to open my little mailbox and find a letter or post card. I would hurry back up to my dorm room and relish in its reading, taking it out again and again to pour over the words. Words that someone took the time and effort to send to me.

I think email, cell phones, etc. have led to this need we seem to have for instant gratification, and although it can be nice to instantly be in touch with someone, there is something to be said for anticipation, for having something special to look forward to. 

This song also reminds me of how often we wait for someone else to validate us. It is as if we have forgotten that we don't need validation for who we are. We are special just as we are, and if we have somehow forgotten that we need to just look in the mirror and remind ourselves, or sit down and write ourselves a letter. 

Today I think I will do just that. I am going to sit right down and write myself a letter. It's going to have words that are oh so sweet they will knock me off my feet. I hope you will do the same, and if there is someone who you think would like to hear from you, why don't you surprise them with a good old-fashioned letter.