Good Morning.
I find the decline of cursive handwriting terribly distressing. Think of it: No more greeting cards to be saved in a drawer,
no more love letters hidden in a box under the bed or burned in the fireplace, and no more thank you notes. I recently received a few words from a pair of teenage brothers whose mother probably tied them to chairs with pen and paper, but I greatly appreciated the effort. Here's the usual scenario: I wrap up a set of towels for a bridal shower and sit on a folding chair with some punch and a cupcake while the bride-to-be titters over the fact that she and Thomas will be able to take some nice showers with my towels. A month later I send the darling couple an ice bucket for their wedding, thinking they can sip on a little pinot gris after they dry off with my towels, but somehow they're too distracted to pick up a pen.
Times have changed, some for good, some for ill. I went to a linen shower during college when the bride, a good friend, received several sets of sheets for her new home. All of the sheets were for a double bed; queen and king-sized beds hadn't been invented yet, and the idea of fitted sheets in any size was still lurking in the mind of a creator who would never have to fold them. In any case, a week after the shower the bride called me, quite distressed, because her mother had exchanged all the sheets for twin size; everyone of her generation shared a room but not a bed and some didn't even share a room. They did, however, write letters and birthday cards and thank you notes. The best arrangement is to sleep in the same bed and wake up with a sense of gratitude that extends beyond the confines of the house. This will involve the purchase of stationery, a pen, and stamps, plus the ability to form letters that connect to one another.
Here's a sample of a note that is sure to please the recipients:
Dear James and Bertha,
Thank you so much for the balloon bouquets you sent me when I had my gall bladder out. The nurses said they'd never seen such extraordinary colors. I'm hope you're enjoying your new home in Florida, but I was very sorry to hear about the alligator in your garage. The lawn chairs can be replaced but you cannot. I'm glad you were inside the house.
Fondly,
Elisabeth
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