I distinctly remember. As a little girl, I had a pen pal. Whatever happened to pen pals? Hmmm...
With a never-ending supply of energy, my daughter buzzes around with her pink diary always close at hand. So, I had a very naughty idea. Always ready for a challenge, she was game. So, this summer, I watched proudly as my daughter started writing letters to her loved ones. Letters that have creative and expressive thoughts about what's going on in her life. Pure joy!
We calculated the time it would take the letter to be delivered. We imagined where each letter was on its journey at that given moment. Several moments throughout the day. Was it tucked in a bin in a town post office, or in the back of a big truck on the highway? Did the truck driver pull over to sleep, or is he or she going to drive straight through? Is it on a plane amongst the clouds and stars, or is it going through customs? We imagined and imagined. Until the letter arrived safely in the mailbox of the person we sent it to.
Do you get a special feeling inside when a letter, postcard, or care package comes in the mail from afar? The sheer joy and anticipation of having your eyes loyally follow the handwritten words down the lanes of the page hoping they will continue forever?
I still get that feeling. So, I've reinstituted a modified version of pen pals here in my necessary room to spread some joy. Click here to learn more about the "gift of jewels" project.
Have a Conscious Friday and a divine weekend.
One Love.
*Ky-Mani Marley: Dear Dad
*Ky-Mani Marley: So Jah Seh
17 comments:
Yes, whatever happen to penpals? As I read your words, I remember the pure excitement when opening a letter from my penpal who lived in Germany! It was exciting and I can still remember the urgency to write him back! Great story of you and your daughter's beautiful imagination! I'm soooo excited about the Gifts of Jewels project!
P.S. Have a Happy Conscious Friday!
have i ever told you i had a pen pal when i was 14 we are still friends today. he lives in australia. we see each other every couple of years. i adore our friendship.
i and i....
xoxo
I had a pen pal as part of a school assignment although we only exchange letters a few times. My daughter exchanged letters with her pen pal from China for years.
My sister wrote to a pin pal in France all throughout her high
school years and he actually came to her wedding...wow...talk about a tall, dark and handsome Frenchmen...I think I would have dropped the hubby at the alter. He brought her a very expensive leather coat and other gifts as well.I'm not sure if they still write or not...must remember to ask the next time I see her.
I loved having Pen pals when I was growing up. Now we have email. It's not the same though.
This is a great idea. I'm so excited!
http://luvnharmony.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/conscious-friday-a-human-becoming/
Oh yes! I had a pen pal from the 5th grade through my early 40s ... even got to visit her (and her family) in England outside of London in 1967! Unfortunately she passed away but I'll always remember the exchange teacher from England who brought the two of us together. Thanks for the reminder and for your recent visits to my various blogs. I appreciate your thoughtful and encouraging comments ;--)
Hugs and blessings,
Hello,
thank you so much for your visit, allowing me to follow you to this space... you have such beauty and warmth to share here.
:-)
I would love to be a part of your "gift of jewels" project, there is nothing like mail love to lift our spirits, yes?
well-wishes,
me
I never had a pen pal. :( The closest I came to one was when my cousin went to Italy for vacations during the summer. One year she wrote me a letter that I treasured and kept for years. I hope I still have it packed away somewhere. I think she was about 8 and I was 7. I loved that letter so much! I am so looking forward to the gift of jewels project!
I love that you and your daughter wrote letters all summer long. You know, I often think of my blogging friends as pen pals. It's really the same thing isn't it?
Have you heard that they are closing some post offices (at least in NYC) and thinking of cutting down to 5 days of mail delivery?! I am still one of those who mails handwritten cards to friends and family. How interested and intrigued do you get when you're getting your mail from the mailbox and see an envelope that you know is something personal? Does your heart skip a beat? Mine does. :)
I agree with Relyn. I never had a penpal, but my sister-in-law is still very best friends with hers some 50 years later.
I never had a penpal but I do remember others who did. That's great that so many people are still in contact with their penpals. Thanks for your visit and have a wonderful weekend.
I used to have penpals and be a voracious letter writer. Now? I blog and make and receive comments. :)
So beautiful and perfect for the Color Carnival. Thanks for playing along :-)
I love getting mail and sending mail! :) I had a couple of pen pals as a kid and loved writing to them!
Sounds like you've both had lots of fun summer letter writing. Oh the Gift of Jewels sounds really interesting too. I shall go and find out more right now :)
I'm late again but my Conscious Friday post was Preschool or Not.
I had a penpal from Turkey who moved to the states in the fifth grade and we got to meet in person... sadly we lost touch somewhere in the college years....
Have a great week! :)
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