On Learning the Art of the Handwritten Note -and a Winner-

The journey on the Vast Ocean of Words continues and I am so happy that I am not sailing alone. Thank you, dear Friends, for joining me. You make it even more special.

Among the books I have planned to read on this journey is the one I started reading yesterday evening with one of my daughters: The Art of the Handwritten Note; A Guide to Reclaiming Civilized Communication by Margaret Shepherd. We enjoyed the preface and the first chapter so much that I just thought I would love it if you and I could have the opportunity to sit on a beautiful café to talk about this. Oh how I would love it if I could read some parts of it aloud to you (Yes, and you would finally get to hear my Mexican accent!) But well, let us pretend we are there... a little street in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, and you are listening to me as I read to you...

"The handwritten note has so many virtues that you ought to reach for pen and paper first, before you pick up the phone or move the mouse. In contrast to a phone call, a handwritten note doesn't arrive demanding to be read when you've just sat down to dinner; it courteously lets you know who sent it even before you open it; you won't be annoyed by the sounds coming from the pens of compulsive note-writers at the next table in your favorite restaurant... And in contrast to e-mail, a handwritten note looks beautiful and feels personal; you won't get an electronic virus from opening a handwritten note nor find a list of last week's lamebrained jokes. You can still write a note by candlelight when your electricity fails, and mail your note while your server is down."

"When a handwritten note comes in the mail, people pay special attention to what it says. It announces beyond a doubt that the reader really matters to you. Your handwritten insures that your words will be read and thought about in a way that can't be mimicked by print, e-mail, or voice."

"Furthermore, the handwritten note does more than inspire the reader who reads it; it inspires the writer who writes it. Your words not only look better when you write them, but the act of writing them enables you to choose better words. You'll probably be pleasantly mysteriously surprised to find that the flowing line of pen and ink lets you express yourself in ways that key tapping just doesn't allow."

"A handwritten note is like dining by candlelight instead of flicking on the lights..."

What do you think? Do you have the habit of writing handwritten notes? Any thoughts on this?

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As I promised, today I am announcing the winner of Douglas Wilson's Book, Wordsmithy. Are you ready?

The winner is:

SUZANNE!

Suzanne, please send me your mail address at dailyonmywaytoheaven at yahoo dot com; I would love to send you your book soon.

Have a joyous week and take the time write a few beautiful and thoughtful handwritten notes.

Always under His shadow,