My Grandmother's Letters

There is something to be said for handwritten letters. The ones I have received in the "not so distant past"--I treasure, but even more so... I treasure the correspondence that took place in the early 1920's and spanned a lifetime... between my grandmother and her best friend, Winnie. I was lucky enough to have them bestowed upon me after the passing of our dear Winnie. I received them from her daughter, whom I was named after. SHE was named after my grandmother, Helen. That is my middle name. [Patricia Helen] Note the postmark and the fact that there is no street address on this envelope.

A blog entry that was sent my way this morning from a great, new friend, prompted my own thoughts on how GREAT a feeling it is to get a handwritten envelope in the mail...... with a letter inside. The rumpled corners of a well worn piece of paper, the ink blots and cross-outs that show a "human" lives on the other end, a person whose hands make errors and leave traces. Sometimes they are written on fine stationary, its lettering prominently sunken into the creamy shades of ivory or even the notes dashed off on notebook paper or something that was to be discarded but was "just sitting there", edges as ragged as their scribbled messages. So infrequently it is that letters come, although I probably receive more than others being in a Calligraphy Guild, but I stop everything else for a brief, whimsical moment in time to identify the words that are placed on the envelope.. whether it's exquisite calligraphy or just a scrawl of handwriting from a distant friend. My world comes to a halt as I study the strokes of the lettering, the stamp and artwork... as well as the placement of my name which dominates the envelope in some cases. I try to guess who it is from just by the style that is displayed. I always open those gems first, forgetting all about the rest of the bulk I am holding. I'm always hoping to read something I don't already know... some little treasure or secret that only we can share. It takes me to another place sometimes....of years gone by, just from a memory or a thought!

I've saved old letters from my mother, my aunt, my sister, best friends and even people I barely know. Each year I sign up for the Cyberscribes' Envelope exchange JUST so I can receive something pretty in the mail in hopes that I will "connect" with someone from the little letter or note they post inside. They let me in on a glimpse of THEIR life in a different country and enlighten me as to what their background has been or is with our connection of calligraphy. I do the same, providing photos of my puppies and sometimes of myself... I also include my "signature" TRISH TRASH, which is all that little confetti you see in stores and wonder WHO buys them. I'm sure if people saw my TT collection they would smile and wonder WHY!? Sometimes I wonder, too, but it all comes back to many stories of how that TT made people smile or laugh... as well as other stories I won't go into right now.

I have to admit... I've always wanted a pen pal. I mean a REAL pen pal. NOT one that I send letters to, sharing my heart, and not getting anything in return, but one that can really pour their heart out on paper, too! I had a couple of them growing up... even in different countries, but their lack of effort was to my disappointment.

As of late, though, I have FOUND a pen pal... but on the computer.... I get "DOUBLE DAYS" regularly... daily or weekly ... with a puddle of heartfelt and thought out sentiments. Not only are they complimentary, but they are also profound at times and educational. I would not give that up for anything... for I have found something that I have always wanted... a TRUE, REAL PEN PAL--and a brother at that!! How luck and blessed am I! Thank you, dear!
PS (I sometimes get cards and letters from this individual, too, as well as send my creations via pony express to North Carolina and his family!)