"Enveloped" in Love

In todays modern world, it is common to receive an email or instant message from friends and family but an actual card is becoming a lost and unappreciated blessing. I know I've stood on this soap box before but I believe it is a point worth revisiting.

As I researched for first book, Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey, I used my grandmother's diaries to trigger memories and see Heidi's kidnapping through her eyes. Her journals date back to when my Mom was a child. I could have gotten lost in my Gram's words. I only read through the 1990's. From 1994, when Heidi disappeared until 1999 when she passed away.

Some might say, "That's a lot of work." They would be correct yet to read what happened each day in my Gram's life was exciting. See, my Gram didn't use a typical "diary" to journal in. Instead, she used a calendar. You know, the ones with Monday through Sunday split between two pages.

A common complaint was there wasn't enough room on Sundays and this was the day the most happened in our family. lol This was also the day we all gathered at Gram and Aunt Nancy's, so I know there were probably too many stories to for even the entire week.

The point, Gram used her journal to "highlight" the important parts of each day or the people and activities that captured her attention. I'm thankful she didn't use a Word document to tell her story and life highlights.  If she had, I would of missed Polaroid shots of Gram's life.

I think this is the reason I love handwritten notes and cards so much. There is something about each person's unique handwriting, spacing, and flow from word to word. I can drop an email or note in less than a minute but a card, this takes time ~ time to pick the perfect card, to choose the right color pen to use, and to formulate the words to be written ahead of time in one's head.

Unlike a typed document, we can't "delete" if we make a mistake. We are committed to the words written or we scrap the selected card to start the process again. If my Gram's journals were in a word document I would have missed priceless gems of truth and love as I "searched" for particular words in her document.

Life is too short and we don't know what tomorrow brings. Instead of "searching" with a common word, we need to slow down and really listen and read. Whether it be a sweet note from a friend like the few I highlighted today or the words written in your Bible ~ one thing is required...your time. Cherish the words and hide them in your heart.

These are not merely letter formations working together to make words, sentences, and paragraphs ~ they are an expression of love, concern, and care for you by the one who sent it.

Have you written a note to tell someone how precious they are to you lately? If not, I encourage you to do it today. The price of a stamp is miniscule compared to the joy on the face of the person receiving your loving message. Who will you send a note to today?

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