One of the joys of being a pen pal is that I sometimes get a real surprise in the post. This happened this week, when I received a thick, promising envelope all the way from Hawaii, from fellow coach, artist and friend Wendee.
The letter contained a mini personal newsletter for friends and pen pals, a print and was beautifully decorated with stickers. I loved it!
Being a pen pal is a great way to connect and keep in touch, particularly when the occasional Zoom call doesn’t really bring the same level of connection and joy.
There’s also something inherently person about handwriting and addressing an envelope, and Wendee included at the end of the letter the following phrase: … “this 100% human made adventure”… and that made me both smile and pause.
I felt it was poignant to emphasis the handmade nature of the communication (and also made me wonder about something I hadn’t considered before, which is just how many family or holiday cards and newsletters now are no longer 100% human made. To me, it’s a sad thought).
I have considered for some time to make a kind of badge that I might add to this blog in future, emphasising that this, too, is a space free of blog posts written by an algorithm.
So much of my life is made by hand, so I don’t think I will. Otherwise everything I make and create would have to have a sticker, and that would feel odd.
I am deeply grateful that the art of letter writing continues to be alive and kicking, and this evening, Halloween, a few small hand-carved pumpkins flicker brightly in the darkness, whilst I write letters to friends far away.
Happy Halloween!
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