Making Mickey's Joy My Own... A Resolution

 

 

The Art of Letter Writing, my new calendar for 2013, recently arrived in the mail. The monthly images are all works of art, from various galleries and private collections, depicting men and women writing letters. Each month features a delightful vintage image, and the appropriate name of the month, and the days of the week all written in five different languages. I instantly loved the layout and the look of the calendar but it was the message on the back of the calendar that, for me, was a personal call to action.

                                                      
There was a time when

writing letters was our

only means of communicating.

In these days of phones, e-mail,

and text messages, letters can seem

hopelessly outdated.

But it's an art worth bringing back;

letters create a connection

that modern, impersonal forms

of communication will never approach.

 

My mother's dedication to the hand written note began long before I was born. By the time I was old enough to understand how committed she was to staying in touch with loved ones, her letter writing routine was well established. I heard people, throughout my life, tell my mom how her birthday wishes, letters of encouragement,  messages of sympathy, or just thinking of you notes had touched their lives. I saw the joy it brought to both the writer and recipient. It's sadly ironic that I have not been a more faithful letter writer, myself.

After reading the message printed on the back of the calendar, I decided that I was going to make a New Year's Resolution to do my part to help revive "an art worth bringing back" and continue my mom's legacy... if only for a year. I haven't worked out the details but I figure that I have about  four weeks to determine exactly how that resolution will look. Yes, I recognize resolution writing isn't brain surgery but I want to make sure it's an attainable challenge even if it will require time and effort. Besides, I am the classic compliant child who always has to be clear on boundaries...even if they are self imposed. On top of that, it is December, when those quiet thinking moments aren't always easy to snatch. 

Monday will be the day that I post about my resolution writing progress.That will still give me a few days, each week, to share a craft idea or a fond memory. I'd love for you to follow my journey. It should be interesting as I've never given this much thought to a resolution, in my life, and perhaps no one ever should. But my mother gifted me with so many wonderful  life lessons and touched so many people's lives through her letter writing that I feel compelled to do this.

Possibly, with a beautiful thematic calendar, as a constant reminder and your help as cheerleaders, this will be the year that I can truly make Mickey's joy my own. Wish me luck!