Privilege

Something short.... but I really wanted to share this. A challenge maybe, more so. As what I am about to write, made me really stop and think, and feel sad for our young.

Today I ran to HyVee to get some groceries and necessities. While in the check-out line, I asked for a book of stamps. The kind girl checking me out, didn't know if she could get them or not, so ended up asking for help. She found out, she was able to get me stamps and someone went to the customer service to get them. When the "book of stamps" was delivered to her... she looked at them, asking... "This is the book of stamps?" To her benefit, the smaller side of stamps was all she saw... eight of them. I then showed her the back, and explained, yes.. 20 stamps in a book of stamps. She couldn't believe it! $9.40 for only so few!! I said, yes, that is how much stamps cost now, 47 cents.  She said, "Wow, I thought they were still like 15 cents each." I chuckled, and said, "No, they haven't been that cheep in a long time."

When leaving the store, I couldn't help but realize... wow, our young culture is sure changing. They are losing what was so special. Sure, things change, times change. But it makes me sad to think that handwritten letters are not being sent anymore. It's all technology... emails, snaps, texts, facebook... it's all instant. Instant gratification. And not as personalized. I just ordered a book called, "The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains." I'm excited, yet a little scared to read it. But I think what it will say, is true. Sometimes the hard facts are hard to swallow. Don't get me wrong... Technology is a great gift! It has helped people do incredible things. But that doesn't mean we can't change a little. Hold onto the past just a little. Sure, maybe I'm a bit old fashioned. Maybe I still remember those times when writing letters was a gift. Having a pen pal back in grade school. Getting those special letters and pictures in the mail at college, when my heart was aching with homesickness. I don't know. Maybe I'm one of the few that would so much rather have a hand written letter then a material gift. Maybe I overthink... but then again, maybe I don't. In 20 years, will these kids be able to read the real Declaration of Independence?? That is written in cursive. Will they be able to read letters their great great grandparents wrote while overseas?? It's something special, the handwritten letter. Opening the mailbox, and being surprised by getting "real" mail. The one that someone took the time to sit down, write, and address the envelope, instead of just pushing send, with a message full of acronyms. I know I'm at fault for this too... as my sisters who moved to college over a month ago, I still never sent them real mail. I'm late at sending thank yous and birthday cards out... but I promise, it's on my to-do list. I will get it done.

So I guess, all I'm asking... is with times changing, which they always will be... maybe we could be sure to teach our children and others about the importance of sending real letters. Of sending real mail. Instantaneous is something we all take advantage of, I know I do. Then I think to the "olden days" when the people would wait a week for the mail to arrive, hoping they would have a letter from a loved one states away, or I think of men fighting for our country miles and miles away, and all families could do was pray and trust. And so I think... we can't let the art of writing letters die. We have to pass it on, we have to savor their importance, their specialness. I have many letters saved in boxes, from special people, special friends, that are not longer with us. And I treasure them dearly. I have letters saved from people still living. I can't seem to let them go. Maybe I'm the odd one here, but it's something I hope I will never take for granted. And something that I hope I will never stop doing... sending mail with stamps.

I once read that it's a privilege to have someone's mailing address, because you have the ability to bring love to part of their day. I truly believe that 110%! Make a difference in someone's day. Just try it, and I guarantee you will never regret it. :)