About a week ago, I had someone very near and dear to my heart disappear from my life. However, the things she left behind are even more apparent. From little notes to voicemails, there was something about tangible words that I've never been more thankful for – the MVP of these being cards. In this generation, emails and texts are almost more readable than lips themselves. Talking becomes this sort of other realm of intimacy with people, and lazy intimacy won't always work best.
The cards I have collected over the years are more than just the occasional Happy Birthday's or Get Well Soon's. They are the "It was so great spending the day with you," the "Saw this and it reminded me of you," and the "This is exactly what you need to hear." Now I am going to tell you the get yourself a card and pen and write a letter to all of your faves right now.
1. Cards are personal.
If this isn't the most obvious reason why snail mail is the bomb diggity then I'm not sure what is. The sender literally handcrafted a piece of themselves with unique strokes and dots to make something legible and pretty. Being a cursive advocate myself (the real OG), I so so so appreciate handwriting and the individuality that comes with it. Whether it's the words inside the message or the way they write their "R"'s, it's worth something y'all.
2. You don't always have to send it.
These little pieces of love can literally be something as little as an "I love you" on a pillow or a "thank you" on a desk. Don't make something harder than it needs to be!
3. But you can still send it.
Again, don't be lazy; it won't get you anywhere (lol, get it?). You take that car, you drive to that post office, and you send that letter you have so utterly carefully written. It will be a rainbow on someone's cloudy tomorrow.
4. It's an excuse to talk to someone you haven't seen in a while.
Life is hard. Words are hard. Thankfully, sometimes they are already written for us.
5. They have a greater respected meaning than a simple text message.
I would say 98 percent of people would agree that a card asking how you've been carries more meaning than a text that says hey. (just saying).
6. They make a million bajillion types of cards for every memo.
You know. You have seen the card with the cool hologram, pop up, and sound. You want to be that card. She's like the popular girl in school. Well guess what, you can be that card. Go buy it and send it to your superlative friends who would sign your yearbook anyways.
7. It can take a relationship to a whole new level.
You've been talking to this guy and you want to do more than just send him a text saying you had a nice time. Wait, there IS a solution. You can make his bed, spray some of your perfume on his pillow, and *write him a note* saying you hope he has a nice day. You have just won.
8. Cards are rare.
It's not everyday you get more cards in the mail than you do bills. Cards are going extinct. We need to save them. Go save lives.
9. It's something you have probably already learned to do.
You remember writing 100 thank you letters the day after your eighth birthday acknowledging all the presents people had given you. Now you can add a little more character and a little less procrastination.
10. They're way more instagrammable than a screenshot.
Would you display a bunch of screenshotted texts all around your house? I didn't think so. But you can easily post a picture of a nice card or have one propped open and fluffed, ready for people to read on your kitchen counter.
I dedicate this article to the woman who inspired me to write my way through life, Mrs. Bette Jo Glass.
