When I took a job with a national retailer specializing in candles, Guido, my Dad, said in a most serious voice, “Has anyone explained the concept of electricity to you?” I laughed. Candles are still being sold, and I use them regularly.
The same thing happens to me when I tell people what I do. “Oh you paint, kind of,” they say. Or “Oh you are a photographer, kind of.” This is followed with either a quiet end to the conversation, or the depressing statement…”people still write? I don’t.”
This artistic adventure has allowed me to glean a bit about how people use the written language. In moments of honesty people admit to me, ”I don’t know what to do with a blank card”. I have learned that most of us, regardless of age, sex, or background, miss receiving personally addressed, handpicked cards. Letters that are hand written, placed in an envelope, stamped and sent to us give us a feeling of connection; reminding us that we are special.
It is my birthday this week and I am pretty sure who will send me actual cards. Two that I can count on come from friends that were next-door neighbors when I was a child. We met when I was five and when I was 11 we moved over 1000 miles away. Their cards come from a distance and opening them closes the gap in years and in miles.
Over the last few months I have had requests to do a few blogs on how to write a concise message. I am certainly not an authority, but I am an avid practitioner. Through fun and painless teaching, Wilfrida gave me the tools to properly write a note, and now, I am going to pass her wisdom to you.
In the next 3 weeks I will cover the thank you note, the sorry for (fill in the blank), and the scary sympathy card. As this is a collaborative forum I would appreciate your thoughts on writing meaningful notes and would love to hear about cards you have appreciated receiving.
Blogs To Come:
Thank you note 3/13
Making contact after an embarrassingly long time/I am sorry 3/20
The sympathy note 3/27
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