In a world where technology dominates our daily lives, the art of writing a handwritten card is becoming increasingly rare. But the joy of receiving an unanticipated card in the post is something that should never be forgotten.
There's something special about the feeling of an unexpected envelope nestled among the pile of boring bills and official letters on your doormat. Especially when it's not your birthday or Christmas time, it's guaranteed to capture your attention and brighten your day. But the pleasure doesn't end there. The next joy of receiving a card is the mystery, the analysis of the handwriting, the interrogation of the postmark. Who sent this? Where has it come from? What is inside? What might it say?
To know that someone has taken the time to purchase, write and post the card is a sign of real gratitude and/or deep affection. The act of sending a card itself is likely to bring as much joy as reading the words written within. And when you finally open the card and read the words, they are often crafted with love, sincerity, humour or irony.
A good and well-received card is more than just a piece of paper. Like most people, I suspect, when I receive a card, particularly if it has a personal, beautiful or useful cover, I save and display it on a book shelf or mantlepiece for far longer than a birthday or Christmas card.
The beauty of receiving a handwritten card is that it's a tangible reminder of someone's thoughtfulness and care. It's a physical manifestation of the words, "I was thinking of you." And in a world where so much communication is digital and ephemeral, that's something truly special.
But it's not just the act of receiving a card that brings joy, it's also the act of sending one. The process of selecting a card, writing a personal message and mailing it to someone is a small but meaningful act of kindness. It's a way to say, "I care about you" and "I'm thinking of you." It's a way to show appreciation, express sympathy or offer congratulations.
In a world where we're constantly bombarded with emails, messages, tweets, reels, stories and shorts, the writing of a handwritten card is becoming a lost art. But it's an art that should be celebrated and embraced. It's a simple yet powerful way to bring joy to both the sender and the receiver. So next time you're thinking of reaching out to someone, consider sending a handwritten card. You never know, it might just brighten someone's day.