Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Saturday, June 7, 2014

I Forgot About That!

I am not sure how the future generations will walk back down memory lane.  I know their stroll will probably not be like mine.  Today we take more pictures in a week then past generations took in a lifetime. Even though we click, click, click, it is rare for them to leave our technical devices to be enjoyed by others. Somehow, most of those pictures get lost in cyberspace.  Then we send E-cards or text cards... if we send any type of card.  Rarely do we experience someone's handwriting or thoughts of their hearts.  Our texting leaves out emotions all together.  Are we saying what matters the most?  Are we reminding others we love and appreciate them?

So my journey started out with this.

Oh yes, it is what you think it is. Years.............well, decades to be exact, of cards and letters from age 17 to now.  I must say there are very few recent cards or letters.  It was time to purge.  I started grabbing and going through what others would feel is junk.  Tears flowed, laughter burst out loud and precious memories were re-lived.

My husband's first card to me was on my 17th birthday.  I also sent him a card with some advice on his then-dating life, which I was not a part of.  He was almost seven years older and I was like a little sister, explaining how I needed to protect his heart.  I haven't read these in decades.  To say the least, in one short heart's beat, I was taken back to the beginning of our relationship. What a wonderful stroll! But...

What will future generations do?  Instagram, Facebook, emails and texting will be a thing of the past, how will they stroll down memory lane?

I purged through the cards, throwing away all the ones that only had a signature. I held some close because the writers have now gone on to heaven... all those little notes that came with wedding gifts, baby showers and generic birthday cards.  I held on to the hand written notes I had tucked into my future husband's windshield wipers while he was at work as well as the notes he wrote to me expressing his love.  I also kept the few notes from my kids.  May I say again.............the few.  One announced their running away from home. The note, 20 years old, has been enjoyed by the whole family.

I allowed the words to smooth over my soul.  So much time has come and gone.  I have a couple of letters from my first daughter-in-law.  I am also holding on to the letter our newest daughter-in-law wrote to us on their wedding.

This one I gave to my one-day husband at the mature age of 17!

Signed by my nickname, which I haven't heard in decades and decades.

What an 18th birthday gift.  I remember wanting to be engaged before I graduated.  In his mature age of 25, he knew it would be too early for engagement.

The one that I held onto and soaked in was the one from my grandmother on my wedding day.  I only had one grandmother that wrote to me and her handwriting remained this beautiful up until the day she went home to see the Lord.




I ended with this... a trashcan full.  NO! I didn't discard them all.  I just couldn't let them all go. I will need to walk back down memory lane again. I also think I will print off my blog.  Even though it isn't handwritten, maybe one day my children or grandchildren will need to walk down memory lane.  I also think I will write some letters.  Even if this generation doesn't see their worth now...maybe when they become older they will need the wealth of handwritten encouragement.  The problem will be, will they keep them long enough to know how important they are?  I am glad that I held onto them...it has bee a much needed week of precious memories on my journey.

We will celebrate 34 years next Saturday!...............what a ride from age 17!!.....................onward!!!



25 Joining in with more words:

podso said...

I totally get this (of course). I have boxes and boxes of letters to my parents and some that they wrote. And we recently discovered a box of our letters when we were dating. So many memories! I write letters to my grandchildren and put them in the mail. I've even gotten one back. I also write my great nieces. At least it gives them an idea of what a letter is like. And I am happy I printed my blog. I'll read it when I get old and leave it for others to--hopefully--read !!!

Vee said...

Thank you for not getting rid of those cards...yet. They tell your story.

Debbie Petras said...

I have a box of cards I can't bear to part with so I understand. But we can't keep them all, right? I loved seeing those special ones you photographed. So many memories. I've heard of other bloggers who have had a book put together of their blog posts. In fact, I think some have one made each year. Maybe I will do that at some point.

Love you,
Debbie

Debbie Petras said...

I have a box of cards I can't bear to part with so I understand. But we can't keep them all, right? I loved seeing those special ones you photographed. So many memories. I've heard of other bloggers who have had a book put together of their blog posts. In fact, I think some have one made each year. Maybe I will do that at some point.

Love you,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

What treasures! I recently started keeping the cards the
that Mister and I have exchanged in a pretty chamber pot in the family room, right handy for perusal.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Oh, I have a box of treasured letters too and reading this reminds me that I need to get them down and go through them again. I get so wrapped up in them that time gets away from me and it's such fun.

My husband is 6 years old than me too and I married him when I was 18 and he was 24 and we celebrated 43 years yesterday. I had no idea what I was doing when I got married. I just knew that it was for life.

Blessings to you!

Cindy said...

I also have a special box for cards like these...mostly from hubby and the kids. Brad and I just celebrated our 36th.

Debbie said...

Well I have a small box of cards and letters I couldn't bear to part with either. But it is small. I have had to be ruthless over the years or it would have been overwhelming. But there are those treasured ones. I have also printed up my blog post each year since I have started. I have 5 of them now. They are in essence my letters I am leaving behind for my kids and grandkids should they ever be interested. It does tell the stories of our lives. Not ALL of them of course, but many. Some day I intend to go through our hundreds and hundreds of old photos and divide them up for each kid and get rid of all the pointless ones. What a job this will be, but does it ever need to be done. Going down memory lane is a road I usually always enjoy. I am glad we got to travel down yours with you a little bit. Hope your week-end is good!

BARBIE said...

I love this. I have a box of mine and my husband's letters that we wrote while we were dating. I go back and read them from time to time.

Dawn said...

I love this post. I am slowly printing out my blog and putting it into book form. It is important to have a past we can touch.
Blessings, Dawn

Pom Pom said...

Aw! I've saved so many, too. I aim to write more notes now that I'm not busy with paper all day at school. A friend sent me a card I had sent her years ago and it was fun to take a look at that self. So nice of her!
How cute to read about your words to your soon-to-be hubby!

Lisa said...

What beautiful memories! I hate that we don't write letters anymore. I still have a few from my grandmother and great aunt. Something about the written word that is so lovely. Thanks for sharing.

Christine said...

I keep handwriting to our grandchildren little notes, hoping they will keep these, moments of LOVE.

Celebrate your love!
Celebrate your friendship!
Celebrate your devotion!
Celebrate your commitment!
Celebrate the years!

Rebecca said...

Happy (upcoming) anniversary to the two of you. I, too, have a box of letters & treasure anything handwritten. In fact, this past week my father handed me an old school ledger from when he was 6 years old! Included was a page of "visitors" who (apparently) signed in to special programs. There were signatures of many of my now deceased great-aunties and uncles! Dad was going to throw it away. I just can't DO that so it will join MY cards, letters, etc. including a summer of correspondence between my husband and I the year before we were married..... (43 years this past Thursday).

Sandy said...

Like you, I also have a box or two of cards I cannot part with. I have cards my mom saved for me from my first and second birthdays! They are beautiful works of art so I don't feel bad for saving them. They hold a very special place in my heart.
Kim and I just celebrated our 30th a few days ago.Happy anniversary to you and your hubby!
xx oo

Maryann said...

Happy Anniversary, I couldn't agree more, no one ever writes anymore, it's become a lost art. I have boxes of memories in the form of letters and cards as well (I purged last spring) it's sad to think the next generation won't have that. I have put a book together of my blog each year (at husbands request) I done for my children and grandchildren. I would have loved to have had something like that from my mom or grandmother. Love the new photos with those little grandsons...too cute!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I have now whittled those boxes down to 2 bins, there is just one word for them... priceless! Facebook and Instagram are NOT the same!! :)

Angel said...

Love this Janette! There is something special about a handwritten note. And how wonderful to be able to hold close those memories and relive them throughout the years.

Sharon said...

Precious memories, Janette! I'm the type of person who holds on to everything! And I still have boxes (and boxes) of things to go through! I really enjoyed your walk down Memory Lane! I love your love story!

One question - did you ever use those Love Coupons (extra hot???) :)

XO

Pamela said...

I still send and receive snail mail. To lonely elderly friends whose bright spot is the mailman. I sorted out the letters (3 years of almost daily letters) from my husband while we were dating. Tossed the ones I didn't want my kids to read. Ha! I treasure the ones from my grandparents and aunts who are in heaven. I just loved this post!

Pamela said...

I still send and receive snail mail. To lonely elderly friends whose bright spot is the mailman. I sorted out the letters (3 years of almost daily letters) from my husband while we were dating. Tossed the ones I didn't want my kids to read. Ha! I treasure the ones from my grandparents and aunts who are in heaven. I just loved this post!

Debbie said...

I pick THIS TIME to be late getting here? UGH.

I love this post with so much enthusiasm that I can't tell you.
I actually thought about doing a post about a letter I found. If I do in some future time, please take it as the more sincere form of flattery if you know what I mean.

I love the note from your grandmother and think it needs to be framed and put somewhere where you see it when you're weary, or when your happy, or at all the other times that fall in between.

I love the one from Bill and the one from you with the funny nickname. So, I guess it comes from J.C.? correct?

The things we "thunk" at 17...
If we can just remember that girl more often, we would always have a reason to giggle.

Loved this so much.

And frankly, I miss regular posts from you. I have never come here a single time without leaving so glad that I came.

Sue said...

Are we twins or what Janette, I laughed even cried through this! After first meeting my Dh I too wanted to be married right away. LOL. Thank you for taking me down memory lane with you, Oh what a fantastic time I had, Maybe I will take you down my memory lane one day, if not here, when we get on the other side, and we both have so much time to share, I truly treasure you, you have ministered to me more times than you will ever know!
Give sweet Benjamin a hug for me!
Love,
Sue

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

This reminds me of all the cards and letters I have thrown away and now wish I had kept. Please save the special ones..your great greats will love to see them.

Sue Anne McKinney said...

I am really, really bad about throwing things away...but I did just ask William if we could go back and listen to our first tape recordings we sent each other from 78-80! We mailed each other cassette tapes during the last two years of college since it cost so much to use 'long distance'!
Also, I found a bunch of cards my mom had saved thru the years last weekend. Very sweet to see what all she had saved of the many she received!

Related Posts with Thumbnails