JenPal
I have been writing letters since the dawn of the age of Jen. I once entered a paper store looking for stationary, envelopes, letter-writing implements and, upon expressing my specific interests, the salesperson said to me, “Oh, you’re one of those.” Yes. I am one of those.
Letter-writing. Why do I love it? Let’s break it down:
1. A letter is a one-sided conversation which appeals to my desire to ramble to all who may hear me. I would not actually describe myself as overly-chatty, but I do aspire to be a great orator*. Which perhaps does not make sense re: a written letter. But it is how I write them. As if speaking. On, say, a sturdy crate/box. Or, you know, sitting next to you on a nice chair.
*When looking up synonyms for orator I came upon the BEST word: Rhetorician! Adding this to my resumé.
Pens and paper and stickers and envelopes and stamps— oh my, I do love it all.
Getting mail is a joy-bringer. It’s irrefutable. No one ever said, “Oh, no, what is this. A personalized handwritten letter just for me? No thank you.” And, on my end, picturing someone feeling joy from the joy I felt while creating that joy, is a very joyful experience for me.
Letter-writing is very meditative. It forces me to slow down and really consider, which is an important combo and life skill to hone. Sure, I may slow down, and I might even have a flash of contemplation from time to time, but both?! At the same time?! Not so easy. So it’s good for me. To carefully collect my thoughts and tenderly lay them out, just as I do with stamps.
Words matter and words keep. If you say them, they’re remembered. If you say them in something one can hold, they’re tangible, and that makes the words even better, dare I say truer. They say the Internet is eternal, but only if you save stuff and, at least in my case, print them out. Otherwise it lives lost in the abyss. But whether written or typed, I like to personalize my things in the world, to make them special for me and then special for you. Everything I do has my particular Jen stamp. I try to choose my words carefully. What I say matters to me. The words I choose matter. And then I like to emblazon them on things to have something to stand by.
Side story: I live close to the High School I graduated from. This school was new for us students and my year was the first graduating class. The mascot is the Knights and to commemorate our class, they had each senior student write their name/signature to be engraved in bronze at the base of a sword set in stone. I thought carefully about how I wanted to be immortalized on this particular monument for countless generations to see/pay respects to on their way to math or, if they’re extra cool, band class. Behold:
See if you can find my name:
Though I would happily (joyfully) send literally anyone a physical letter, these digital versions will have to do. To close this one out, here’s a Jane Austen quote about a particular penpalship that may have run its course but still carries on.
“She is probably by this time as tired of me, as I am of her; but as she is too Polite and I am too civil to say so, our letters are still as frequent and affectionate as ever, and our Attachment as firm and sincere as when it first commenced.”
― Jane Austen, Love and Friendship
My creed: To do my darndest to keep you coming back, for I know how easy it is to hit “unsubscribe,” a button the characters in this book may have ardently wished for.
Until next week. Sincerely yours,
