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.
This is gorgeous Laura...I was just having a conversation last night standing at the edge of the driveway with my neighbor. The sun slowly fading out, we talked about so many things, and letter writing, and the lack of it now a days was one of the topics we lighted upon. We talked about that special feeling of something tangible in our hands, how real they feel...
ReplyDeleteLovely.
Jen
Thanks, Jen. I think the personal touch of letter writing is what is missing. There is just not anything beautiful or personal about an email.
DeleteI'm going to be humming that for the rest of the day :-) Love the vintage typewriter.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thanks, Amalia. You must remember that song :)
DeleteI miss letter writing and seeing someone's handwriting makes it so much more personal. I have fallen prey to the instant emails, Facebook posts and texting. They have a place in our lives for sure, but an old fashioned I took the time to write you a letter means so much doesn't it!
ReplyDeleteLinda
It really does, Linda and now that many schools are no longer teaching cursive I'm afraid that the art of letter writing will soon be a distant memory.
Deletei used to love the mail as i'd await to hear from my mother...
ReplyDeleteChecking the mailbox these days doesn't seem to be as much fun.
DeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteThis post is so sweet. My mom still sends hand written thank you notes for everything. When I get them in the mail it makes me feel special to think of her taking extra time to write and post the note. I keep every one. I wish I were better at carrying on her example.
Lovely post!
Holly
I'm so glad that you are keeping them, Holly. They will always be something to bring out and read.
DeleteOh I just love the vintage typewriter and mailbox. I've been looking for a mailbox like this for some time. I always as a little girl wondered why we had to go to the PO and all my friends got mail delivered to their little box at the front door.
ReplyDeleteIsn't that a great mailbox. It is hanging on the wall at the Beaumont Inn here in Kentucky. I have found and sold some of those mailboxes in the past. If I find another, I will be sure and let you know. :)
DeleteWhat a sweet post, Laura. I enjoyed the photos to. I think we all miss snail mail.
ReplyDeleteI guess we are just hopelessly old fashioned. :)
Deletethree little bits of paper I treasure.
ReplyDeleteA note from my mother - buy yourself a lemon tree - and we have a lovely big tree inherited in this garden.
Thank you from her friend, who borrowed her book about convent girls.
Thank you from my great-niece, taught down the generations, after she borrowed one of my cat books.
How wonderful, Diana. I am happy to hear that your family is passing down the tradition.
DeleteWhat a lovely thought....I used to love getting letters from relatives who are gone now....I think I might just have to write a few letters...and send a few cards!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great idea, Donna. Think how pleasantly surprised they will be.
DeleteI used to get love letters from my ex before we married and were living in separate states. My most recent letter was to the guy behind me who complains about my dogs, and I never heard more from!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
I guess it worked, Brenda :)
DeleteI often wished I'd saved all of the letters that I used to get from my mother when I was in college. I only saved a few, but I love that I'm able to read some of her handwritten words. Which reminds me that I need to write my own children something more than a line or two in a birthday card.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Cheryl. I need to follow my own advice and send out some mail.
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