Yesenia’s handwritten wonderfulness from Puerto Rico came in a fantastic envelope.
It was complete with this lovely quote stamped on the inside.
Yesenia responded to the following Question of the Week: If you could receive a handwritten letter from anyone throughout history, who would it be? Why, and what do you think they would tell you? What would their letter be like?
May 17, 2012I would’ve loved to receive a letter from an unknown ancestor of mine. Someone that did not know of my being, but that thought of me decades before my existence and that decided to leave a letter for me, knowing that someday I would read it. I imagine that it could be from a great grandmother that lived at the beginning of the past century. I think that her letter would include words of love and encouragement to live a life well lived and to enjoy the opportunities that destiny brings to me; to be enthusiastic about life and the future that awaits.
I imagine that her letter would include words of wisdom that tell the tales of the struggles of life, that a girl of her time would encounter and that she supposes, I would go through too. Her letter would store some anecdotes worth saving for over a hundred years in a drawer, where she talks about people I would never meet, customs I would never understand and a time I would never know. Dreams, ideas and secrets would be addressed to me, just for her desire to create a deeper connection with a girl that would “hopefully” understand her and make her live forever through “time-capsuled” handwritten words. Always meant for an unknown yet familiar girl, living in an unrecognizable and uncertain future.
How did I analyze and think about my answer, the truth is that THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO DO for a future, yet unknowingly existent great great granddaughter of mine or a relative that I won’t have the opportunity to meet, but that I know will live someday. I’ve always wanted to do it and I hope I will!!
I guess it sounds weird and maybe a little conceited, but I would just like to let her know that I existed. I would like her to know, that somebody had the hope that she came into this world and that somebody thought of her before anybody else did.
I think it would be great to find words of wisdom left just for you, kept for years hidden or stored God knows where, just waiting for you; no matter how random they might be, in the end they might take a meaning of their own.
The first time I read Yesenia’s response, I just about melted. What a romantically beautiful idea. A handwritten note, all folded up, waiting to touch the heart of a future dreamer. I receive letters from truly sensational minds.
Thank you so, so much, Yesenia, for such a thoughtful response that tickled my own dreaming heart.
I recently received this lovely card from Doug in Hawaii. He was responding to the past Question of the Week: If you could receive a handwritten letter from anyone throughout history, who would it be? Why, and what do you think they would tell you? What would their letter be like?
I have received some truly wonderful responses to this particular Question of the Week, and Doug’s was one of them.
19 May 2012
I think the historical figure I would most like to receive a handwritten letter from would be Niccolo Niccoli, the early 15th century Florentine scholar who invented the form of handwriting I am trying to emulate here. That would be “italic” or Italian Humanistic Cursive. Using elements from ancient Carolingian and contemporary cursive, he created a form that was legible and quick in order to accommodate the demand for transcripts of classical texts. Note that this was the era directly preceding the developments and proliferation of books via mechanical replication from a printing press. It was the handwriting of the geniuses of the Renaissance! Wouldn’t a letter from Niccolo really be something?
Doug
From the moment I opened up Doug’s letter, I was smiling over its incredible penmanship! I love its hurried, yet elegant shape.
What a great response to this question! I can only imagine how beautiful Niccolo’s lettering would be.
Thank you so much for sharing this art with us, Doug, and for the mini history lesson!
You can never go wrong with a little color.
Pizzazz. And Cara in New Jersey knows how to use it. She responded to the past Question of the Week: Why are you interested in this project? What is it that you like (or don’t like) about letter writing?
May 2012
Dear LHN,
There are a multitude of reasons why I prefer a handwritten note over most other forms of communication, but my favorite reason is style. A handwritten note leaves lots of room for personal self expression. It’s the paper version of fashion!
<3, Cara
New favorite line! — “The paper version of fashion.” I love it, Cara, thanks for sharing!
Cara also has a wonderful website on Etsy where she sells delightful letter writing supplies and other fun crafts. Check it out at: www.chewytulip.etsy.com
Hi everyone. Sorry I disappeared on you for a few days. I’m back.
My P.O. Box has been keeping happy in the interim. I’d like to share a response today from a lady who has this handwritten letter thing down to a tee. Her envelopes, stationery, the whole nine yards, are lovely. She also sends postcards around the world for people to send send back with a message and a postmark. Talk about connecting the world. I encourage you all to check out her project called the Orphaned Postcard Project.
Post Muse responded to the question: Have you ever received a letter from another country? Where, and from whom? Do you remember what it looked like? Had you yourself ever traveled there before, or did the letter make you want to? If you haven’t received one, have you ever sent one to someone while visiting another country?
The response came written in a beautiful card she had picked up while traveling in Wales. The front of the card has a thin wooden spoon on it, and inside there is an informational card about the spoon’s meaning, which reads:
The Legend of the Lovespoon
Giving gifts of carved wooden spoons is a Welsh tradition which symbolises affection and has its roots in centuries long past. In fact, the Edwardian English expression — to go “spooning” — is believed to have its origins in this Welsh tradition.
It is sometimes thought that this ancient Welsh custom represented an early type of engagement ring or perhaps that presentation and subsequent acceptance of a carved spoon confirmed the beginning of a serious courtship.
Though the exact history of the lovespoon legend is shrouded in uncertainties, we know that the carver would incorporate particular motifs to convey particular sentiments.
Nowadays, whenever you have something special to say, you can say it with a lovespoon.
It was such a uniquely wonderful card, and I loved that it also taught me a little about a tradition in another part of the world. Post Muse’s response to the Question of the Week was as follows:
4 May 2012Dear LHN,
This week’s question asks whether we have visited another country and written a letter from there, or received letters from abroad. Both are affirmative! Though I’ve received letters from many countries, the ones that most intrigue me are from Wales. I visited Wales a few years ago and it left its mark.
You can well imagine dragons and knights to fight them in Wales. The narrow side streets are lined with TALL hedges and the Welsh drivers must have x-ray vision because they drive with wild abandon around the corners and curves. The language is pure magic. Words that look as if they should take at least 5 minutes to say just tumble out as a single lovely note.
When I receive mail from Wales, all of the above memories come floating back. I did not write a letter from Wales, but I did buy this notecard. I didn’t buy any lovespoons, but should ever I go back, I will find a carver who can work a postal motif into the desgin.
Postally yours,
Post Muse
I loved hearing about how the mail could take her back to those memories.
Thank you for the response!
It’s Wednesday! You know what that means — time for a new Question of the Week! Thank you for your continued thoughtful responses. I’ll be sharing more of the ones I have received so far as the week goes on.
If you’re new to the project and asking yourself, “What is Question of the Week, and how do I get involved?” You can visit my past post that introduced the activity by clicking here.
This week’s question is: If you could receive a handwritten letter from anyone throughout history, who would it be? Why, and what do you think they would tell you? What would their letter be like?
Please send your lovely handwritten response to:
Lovely Handwritten Notes
P.O. Box 2674
Washington, D.C. 20013
United States of America
I can’t wait to hear from all of you!
This project, I’m convinced, is an important gateway to greater joy. Two to four times per week after work, I take a twenty minute stroll under the open air to my post office. I turn the key of my little p.o. box that has seen many before me, and I receive your letters. Then I walk to the metro for my commute home. Some days, your letters find me already high on the sun and the beauty of the earth. On these days, they prolong the dancing of my feet in my floating paradise. On other days, your letters reach me after the weight of the Universe has rested upon my own shoulders. On these days, I’m so very grateful to all of you. On my dreary metro ride home, I treasure each detail of your handmade envelopes, your traveling stamps, your carefully chosen stationery, and your soulful penmanship. I slowly open each letter, and within seconds, I’m smiling again and life is tender. I can hear your voices in the way you write. I soak in the wisdom of your words. I’m having a really great time with this, and I hope you are too. Thank you.
Crafting, commence!
The planning process.
devotion n. 1. the fact, quality or state of being devoted and dedicated; as in giving up one’s time, energy, etc. to some purpose or person. 2. devoutness. 3. loyalty; faithfulness; deep affection.
I’ve been itching to Mod Podge some things lately.
On to the envelope…
Motherhood: All love begins and ends there.
— Robert Browning
Things are never complete until they are coated in glitter glue.
Twenty-three years ago, you gave birth to a Leo the Lioness. That is not a simple task to take on. But just like the beautiful gardens you grow every year, you somehow managed to shape me into the woman I am today, despite my many weeds and thorns. Thank you for being such a wonderful mother. It takes a lot of work and I love you unconditionally for it.
Love, Korrin-ie-pooh
Tucking it into the safety of the envelope’s embrace.
I wish I could fit through that slot and join my card back in that Golden State today.
Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mother, and all of the other wonderful mothers out there working hard every day!
