Sealing History
copyright
Mary Palmer Nowland 2003
How does a woman create her own family history? I
suggest one letter at a time. I don't mean a, b, or
c, but a stamped envelope with a heartfelt message
inside! When was the last time you sent a letter to
your grandmother? Or a little note your daughter
could find in her lunch box? No time?
The world doesn't appear to be slowing down, so it
is up to you to relax, brew a fresh cup, and put pen
to paper. Just think of all the stories with letters
as an important catalyst for life-altering events:
people finding letters packed away in an old shoebox
that bring new light and forgiveness to an old
grudge; letters with recipes still inside, waiting
to be baked; envelopes faintly perfumed by dusty
rose petals held safe between the pages.
The women in my family have taught me the value of
staying in touch. It all began when I was quite
young. George, the mailman would pull up in front of
the house, and we would race to meet him. There
might be a letter for me. At the very least, Mom
would read us her letters from various aunts and
cousins.
Letters were also a way of showing good manners.
Every time I received a gift, I was instructed on
how to write a thank-you note. At Christmas I tried
to make my little gift tags by hand and I carefully
practiced my beginner's cursive on my birthday party
invitations.
When I became more proficient with my handwriting,
Mom bought me my very own stationary, complete with
fancy sealing wax and a filigreed "M" and "P" to
press into the seal. I started to collect pens,
sharpen my pencils, and decorate the margins of my
letters with India ink. I took my correspondence
seriously.
Our mother always wrote a newsletter to include in
our Christmas cards. It was thrilling to read a
whole paragraph about me, telling of my 4-H ribbons
and piano lessons. Reading my accomplishments on
paper meant I was important, not only to Mom, but to
everyone in her address book.
I remember sending postcards home from Girl Scout
Camp up at Camp Esther Applegate along the shore of
Lake of the Woods. Home was only an hour's drive but
the act of mailing a note meant I was a long way
from family. Better stay in touch so they wouldn't
worry.
A few years back, Aunt Roxie and Uncle Marv handed
me a large paper bag, pronouncing me the keeper of
the "Nana and Pop letters." Written in 1912, they
are the beginning of my grandparent's amazing love
story. They drip with polite adoration and respect.
You can create your own family love stories, handed
down over the years in the form of letters. Dear
Daughter, I am so impressed with your sewing
projects...Dear Grandmother, I miss our little
chats. Let's have one now... Dear Cousin, Why don't
you come for the weekend and we can watch old home
movies? Are you full of letters never written and
regretfully never sent?
If your life feels too busy to sit down and write a
letter to a woman you love, your regrets will pile
up and your connections will dwindle. Take a moment
to jot a note, lick a stamp, and put the flag up.
Before you know it, you'll be racing your kids to
the mailbox to see who has taken the time to write
back.
Don't forget to save those letters for someone in
the future. They will want to know something of
their family history, handwritten with love and
sealed with a kiss.
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