I was cleaning up in the garage, easily filling up the garbage and recycling bins long before the pick up day when I came across a treasure. I have no idea how it ended up in a box in the garage, but there it was; a beautiful writing pad. I found it on Canada Day, July 1. A writing pad with a Canadian theme!
"How long has it been since I've sent a handwritten letter in the mail?" I asked myself. It's just so much easier to send an email or a text. But this notepad was calling my name and I couldn't resist!
I found a nice pen and began writing a letter to my children and grandchildren in Ontario. The younger ones can't even read or write the cursive script which I learned in grade four, writing with a fountain pen that had a cartridge for refilling. I had already mastered the old German handwriting (Gothische Schrift) in my village school in Paraguay, writing on a slate with a "griffel" (slate pencil). Knowledge of this script came in handy when I was working on my MA in German and researching old manuscripts. Fellow students from Germany were surprised that I knew this script since they no longer learned it in their schools.
I spent my Sunday morning writing this letter, which turned into my July blog posting. Until this morning I had no inspiration or joy to write a post, and thought it would not happen this month. But here it is, a gift to me and a gift to my readers!
"Father of Lights, you delight in your children...and every good and perfect gift comes from You."
Such a gift, to write and mail a paper a letter especially to your grandchildren. So exciting for them. For better and for worse, email has taken over (I like email). My kids were well into their teens before they learned how to address an envelope and where to put the stamp.
ReplyDeleteAddressing and stamping envelopes was always Hardy’s job in our family. He’s a stamp collector and was particular about where and how to place it or remove it. Now it’s up to me! There are still a few friends and relatives who are not on electronics (believe it or not!).
DeleteThat you found the joy and inspiration to write the blog post is a miracle all by itself. You’re carrying a torch and showing your friends, siblings and loved ones how it’s done. Thank you❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteAlways need that encouragement, Marge! And I thank you!
DeleteThat’s beautiful stationary Elfrieda!
ReplyDeleteI love receiving cards and letters, it is much more personal than an email but more convenient for sure.
I’m sure they will enjoy it and be inspired as well.
Thankyou!
Helen
Thank you, Helen! I’ll try and write you a letter with that stationary one of these days!
ReplyDeleteYears ago, when I taught grade 3, my students and I would write letters or create postcards for our grade 3 penpals in Olds. As a class, we would walk down the street from the school to the red Canada Post mailbox on the corner and take turns dropping our correspondence through the slot. I'm going to go do this by myself today. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteRobbie
Thanks for sharing this, Robbie. I would have loved being a student in your class!
DeleteI love getting mail cards etc and sending them as well! Keeping you in thought and prayers!!
ReplyDeleteWould love to know who’s writing this!
DeleteDear Elfrieda, under the beautiful post about letters is so much love -- for beauty, for your country, for your grandchildren, and for Hardy, the one who addressed and stamped the envelopes. Much love and grace to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley. So appreciate your reading between the lines!
ReplyDeleteLove it! 🕊️
ReplyDeleteI joyfully receive this gift with the love you have poured into posting it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteAnd I do like to write notes, knowing how rare it is to give or receive one. By the way, I remember using a "fountain pen that had a cartridge for refilling," such fun to replace.
Blessings to you and Hardy! ((( )))
Thank you, Marian. Fellow octogenarians know the delight and the frustration of writing with a fountain pen!
ReplyDelete:-D
DeleteWhat beautiful stationery! I enjoyed reading your post and I am thankful that you found your inspiration. I too was an avid letter writer and remember the delight I found in finding something unique. I may just need to write my own letter instead of another text. Thank you my loved ones. Kathy S. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy. I’m looking forward to that letter! I go to the mail box every day, but seldom is there anything personal in there!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elfrieda, for the song 'Father of Lights', which I well remember singing at KMB when you and Hardy were still in Kitchener. My prayers for both of you as you walk this journey. love, Louise
ReplyDeleteChristine, (our oldest daughter) told me she woke up one morning with that song in her head and it gave her the comfort she needed when she thought about her dad. She sent it to me and I have been singing it ever since. The songs and prayers we learn in our youth never leave us and become treasures in our senior years! So grateful for Celebration Choir!
Deletea perfect gift indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dora!
DeleteElfrieda …your blog is a gift to us all. Thankyou for finding the energy to keep passing this gift along.
ReplyDeleteI too love to receive handwritten letters in the mail….it is always such a personal touch to see the writer’s own handwriting and think of the effort that went to composing that letter.
I still like to write my own letters although with texting that has become less & less.
Ruth Jansen
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope it doesn’t become a lost art. It is going to be back in the school system in Ontario, but our four grandchildren there are too old to learn it now, with the youngest being twelve!
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure you found, and such a beautifully written letter, Elfrieda. I'm intrigued too about your congregation's decision for Thursday evening services. Is this something you've done before? Is it just for the summer? I'd love to hear the story behind that too.
ReplyDeleteNot sure who is writing this comment, but thank you. We have had Thursday evening services at Jubilee Mennonite Church for several summers as Sunday morning services are so sparsely attended. It also gives our staff a break.
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