Paper, Pen, & Friends

Can you remember the last time you opened the mail box and found a handwritten letter from a friend? A thank you note, a welcome note can truly touch a heart especially if they have been written by hand.

While I absolutely love the instant rewards that come from computer searches, cell phones, and instant pictures, I am truly touched when someone leaves me a handwritten note or sends me a card. I can’t even remember the last time I received a letter in the mail…and I love stationary! It is so hard to find now.

The Romance of Letters

I remember having a boyfriend in high school who moved to Hawaii and we wrote each other for probably a year. I just couldn’t wait to get the mail. He would draw hearts on the envelope, I would spray my letters with perfume or buy scented paper. To be able to just read words that you know that person used their hand to write was so personal. You know that the other person held that paper in their hand. Honestly when it comes to romance, I believe the way to a woman’s heart is definitely through a hand written note every now and then. I even decorated a shoebox with pictures cut out of magazines and decoupaged it to keep them in and just recently found them in my attic and decided I should toss them…he didn’t end up wearing my wedding band.

Just this week I opened a bill to pay it and when I pulled it out it had a yellow sticky on it with a note from my husband ~ I Heart you. Of course it made me smile to think that he took a moment to leave something of himself for me to find sometime when he wasn’t around.

Etiquette is Grace in Action

So if you are interested in the fading art of writing a note, here are a few times where they are most appropriate as far as manners go.

If you are invited to someone’s home for dinner or even a party, within the following week write a note of appreciation thanking them for their hospitality and complimenting something very specific that you liked about the evening or day. I guarantee you will be on the short list of those who take the time and your host will be blessed by your thoughtfulness.

When you have an overnight guest, leave them a note of welcome and detail some of the things they might want to know but may not ask, like:

• where their fresh towels are and where a hamper is after they’ve used them
• where are toiletry items
• if there is a drawer for them to use or space in the closet
• when breakfast is and if they can help themselves to items in the fridge or pantry
• any plans that you have made for their stay
• wifi access, television stations, etc

 

If you are an overnight guest, leave a note of thanks for the hospitality to your host.

Unexpected Notes are actually the Best!

Of course anytime you are inclined to send a card, adding a handwritten note is such a nice and thoughtful inclusion. Since I love design and hospitality, I have created a few lovely cards myself.

As Bloggers, we love the craft of words. No other species in creation was given the ability to speak as we have been given. There is so much that can and does happen when the words leave our mind whether on paper, email or mouth. We have the power in words to encourage, to lift, to comfort, to inspire, to instruct, and to bless. Of course the opposite is also true and there isn’t a person on this earth that hasn’t had to shake off an insult, a cutting remark, a disparagement, or a scolding. These words can hold a person captive for a time as they replay over and over in the mind. So my challenge to my readers is to really look for ways to use your words to have a positive impact on the people you are around everyday whether in person, in writing or on the phone. Blessed is Best!

If you have received a handwritten note, letter or card that has touched you unexpectedly I would love to hear about it. Please share your ideas on great times to write.

Hospitably Yours,

Debbie

Acts 28:7b He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days.