GUEST WRITER

Introduction: After recently receiving Birthday E-cards from my insurance agent, past realtor, and dentist, the idea that Dr. Heather C. Boyd suggested struck me more personally. I asked her to elaborate.  Hope you enjoy our most recent Guest Writer.
drb   …………..

—

Every year, and even at the current age of 95 years, my mother sends a handwritten card for my birthday. She does the same for my siblings, for her nieces and nephews, for her grandchildren, and for her friends. She does not have a computer, but even if she did, I believe she would not replace this very personal method of celebrating the birthdays of family and friends. And as the years have passed, the recipients of this special “gift” surely recognize how unique her creative efforts are, especially in a world where you may receive a hundred birthday wishes via electronic devices, including from people whom you scarcely know.

Although I am an excellent typist (very thankful that I took typing class, many moons ago, in high school!), I still do a lot of writing by hand—notes to self, birthday and thank you cards, the occasional letter to a Japanese friend across the globe, and so forth. There is something very pleasant about the feel of a good pen or pencil on just the right paper. Furthermore, and perhaps because I come from an artistic family, it seems like cursive (script) writing is akin to drawing. You can take your time creating the letters, whether printed or cursive, as you ponder what to write.

As one might correctly imagine, printing, writing in cursive, or typing on a keyboard all involve somewhat different physical and mental skills. The more complex the action (i.e., cursive), the more complex the brain pathway. It has also been found that (even before being able to read) young children who print letters of the alphabet free-hand versus those who trace or type the symbols are able to more readily recognize those letters when shown images later. This suggests that the act of writing letters may enhance the ability to learn to read. Writing can also help develop and improve fine-motor skills and coordination in children. This is another reason to encourage a child to write a simple “thank you” note to Aunt Sally for that birthday present.

Note from drb: this point may become even more vital as some schools are considering eliminating time to teach handwriting skills, due to ubiquitous keyboards removing the need for writing ability. Gasp.

Think about the many different handwriting styles of people you know . . . . Remember when you experimented with a left-leaning slant in middle school? Who was that person who wrote very round letters? Or the one who adds a little heart or flower at the flourished end of her name? Or how about the people who print in all caps, even when they are not yelling? (I always thought that must take a lot of work!) When you see someone’s handwriting, it instantly evokes an image or feeling about that person, as their personality is transmitted through their own unique handwriting style. This aspect is missing from typewritten letters, emails, or texts.

Another aspect of letter-writing is the fact that it supports our postal service, which, when you really think about it, does an excellent job of handling zillions of pieces of mail across a massive country. And often it does so with many obstacles, on a daily basis. When that card or letter arrives in your mailbox, do you look at the stamp? For me, that is one more tiny piece of art, which can be chosen intentionally to suit the sender or the receiver. Have you seen some of the beautiful stamps that are available these days? Stamps that honor nature, animals, bioluminescent sea creatures, or well-known historical figures. A recent variety colorfully portrayed the art of magic.

Sometimes a person feels that he or she doesn’t have anything “important” to write about. The mind hesitates. The person frequently doesn’t know what to say when sitting down to write a letter or card. I have found, from both sides of the experience, that a good way to handle that hesitation is to simply begin.

Write whatever comes to mind. I assure you that your friend or family member will be very glad to hear about even the small details of your day, as you will be glad to hear of theirs. After all, if someone can “announce” on Facebook that they can’t wait to watch an episode of their favorite Netflix series or TV show tonight . . . well, you get the idea!

—

Here are some ideas for occasions to brighten someone’s day with a personal note:

• Birthday
• National or religious holidays that you know they observe
• New job
• New baby (including grandkids, or new adoptees)
• Sympathy for a death (most of us have learned that these cards DO brighten the day and don’t “open a wound” as some fear)
• Wedding
• Wishing a speedy recovery from illness or surgery
• Appreciation of friendship
• Congratulations on acceptance at college or for other accomplishment
• Best surprise of all — to say ”Hello, and I’m thinking of you”

The best thing about high quality cost of levitra delay products like Stud 100 for Men they are usually odourless, tasteless and virtually untraceable. At any cost do not touch any machinery after intake of wonderful and cheap Kamagra gets potency to get hard in the bed. viagra soft 50mg Kamagra tablets and its other versions let the patient perform well unica-web.com discount cialis during the lovemaking session. However, the good part is that buy generic levitra https://www.unica-web.com/archive/2011/2011.html several erectile dysfunction treatments are available in India nowadays.

To add to the experience of delighting your recipient at the mailbox, you can also make your own card, which can be as simple or elaborate as you wish. Or you can purchase a handmade card from a local artist. In recent years, I decided to get back to my artistic roots and explore making cards that incorporate pressed leaves and flowers in a variety of designs. These add another unique element to the correspondence. These cards can themselves be framed as a gift, whereas my collage collection provides a more elaborate nature art presentation.

Pick up that pen or pencil—or even a purple crayon!—and enjoy the writing experience!

***************************************************

References:

• Link about children and handwriting– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4274624/
• Link about “beautiful stamps”– https://store.usps.com/store/results/stamps/nature/_/N-9y93lvZfo2yv5?Ns=parentCategory.displayName%7C0
• Link to my “cards that incorporate pressed leaves . . .” — http://hcboyd.wixsite.com/natureart/card-series2

—

Heather C. Boyd, Ph.D

Heather C. Boyd, Ph.D., is a multipotentialite (no, that is not a new species!): scientist, writer, editor, artist, musician, and mother. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the second graduating class to enroll women at Rutgers College in New Jersey and a Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pennsylvania. After years of laboratory research in Pennsylvania, California, and Washington State, she raised a family, as well as an ongoing scientific editing business. With two daughters nurtured and launched, Heather unearthed her artistic roots and started another business, combining her natural sciences background with her creative talents. To learn more about Heather’s artwork (cards and collages) using real plant materials, please go to www.hcboyd.wixsite.com/natureart.

Pictures: courtesy of Dr. Heather C. Boyd (card photo) and Chelsea Boyd Brown (headshot)

—

 

Share This: