Two of my nieces (age 6) are dying to learn cursive. I wonder why. One, who is homeschooled, was told by her mom that she had to concentrate on her printing first. So she taught herself in secret! I do wonder if handwriting is becoming a thing of the past. Maybe eventually we'll only need to write a signature. But something will be lost, for sure.
My grandfather wrote many letters to his family members. I have a big box full of letters to my parents. As I read them I am learning so much! The one above is to one of my cousins. It's particularly special because even though my grandfather thought his health was improving, it really wasn't. He didn't even know he was dying of cancer, and three months after writing this he was no longer with us. (Notice you can see he wrote on both sides of the paper.)
"Longhand saves me. Slows me down. Puts me together, all connected again." (from the "Handwritten Life" in Mary Jane's Farm magazine, April-May 2011). ("Longhand" is sure an ancient term. It must have been used vs. typing, or maybe even "shorthand.")
Though many things are gained through technology, there is much richness to life that is being lost. Such as handwritten letters.
What an interesting post today. Longhand is becoming a lost 'art' for sure. I'd rather type than write as my hand writing is illegible most of the time due to arthritis in my joints. I remember learning to form my printed letters into written, taking such care to join the letters together the proper way. Thanks for this post today.
ReplyDeleteA few years back I read an article in a magazine that said within twenty years the most highly sought after collectible would be a hand-written letter. Sad! I do like e-mail and phone calls but there's something about taking a letter from the mailbox and sitting down to read something penned by someone dear. I have a box that holds letters from each of the boys. Some are handwritten. Some are e-mail. A few postcards. They are posted from in country, England, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Thailand. They tell of what was going on with them. I hope they will treasure them some day.
ReplyDeleteI love getting handwritten letters and make an effort to send cards and letters out when I can. I read somewhere that cursive writing is being fazed out in some schools and only printing will be taught. That really makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
I, too, have read that cursive is being phased out in schools. You are so right about some of the finer things in life going by the way, Dotsie. Soon, they will be antiquities. I am glad you have such a wonderful collection of letters. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI am guilty of not using cursive. I can't even remember how to form some of the letters any more!
ReplyDeleteMy husband told me recently of a plan afoot that he read or saw somewhere to stop teaching cursive in the schools! (who needs it, with computers these days, is the rationale.) The world surely is changing...
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I was a teacher for years and taught cursive writing. I loved teaching handwriting! There is something beautiful in great handwriting! For years I wrote in calligraphy and now I have a crossover between longhand and calligraphy that is all my own.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child and went to a Scottish boarding school they taught me italicized writing. So you see I have a very long relationship with the written word!
Love your grandfather's letter... I read" I am praising the Lord because he brought me thru the sickness and has made me well again". Oh, that made my heart just sing!
Yvonne
I agree. I still send cards with handwritten messages in them and I send blank cards with nothing more than a handwritten message. It is so much more personal than something typed out, don't you think. You learn something about people when you see their handwriting, I think.
ReplyDeleteNice post.
Hugs, Cindy
The term 'longhand' puts me to mind of my grandmother who would talk about 'sweet milk' (the regular kind), and 'light bread' (white sandwich bread.
ReplyDeleteLove that!
Penmanship was taught when I went to school. We had to learn with fountain pens dipped into the inkwell on the desk and weren't allowed a fountain pen with a built-in well until we'd mastered our letters. Ball point pens were anathema!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that your fireplace is finished - can't wait to see the photos!
I love seeing your grandfather's letter and can understand how special it is to you. I enjoy receiving letters because it feels nice to know someone took the time to write it. So many young today will miss that pleasure in their lives. Thanks for reminding us of the importance of writing letters. Shannon
ReplyDeleteWell I certainly hope not! I love to write letters and even do some calligraphy too.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful day my sweet friend!
Leann
Podso,
ReplyDeleteI agree, I feel voice when I read the handwriting of the letter of my mother. Voice in my Mother~in~laws handwritten recipes...and there is great comfort in the soul! Thank you for sharing this meaningful post.
Fondly,
Pat
Hi Podso
ReplyDeleteI think many of us have lost our pretty handwriting script since we type everything today. My 91 year old friend often sends a note or letter in the mail with newspaper clippings and information of interest. And, she really likes to receive the same in the mail herself.
I have saved cards over the years but wish there were letters like you have to reread but none were written, the phone was used.
A nice post.
Judith