I absolutely LOVED this post! As I read it, I was picturing the handwriting of my loved ones. I'm a boomer, so I grew up with handwritten cards and notes. I use a keyboard for almost all of my communications because it's so much faster and I find I even "stumble" when I write something by hand. But you made me think about what is lost when we strip away the personality that's revealed in handwriting. Thank you so much for reminding me!!
I’m trying to get back to journaling and/or morning pages recently and I do feel like the muscles have atrophied. My hand gets tired faster. But I love writing by hand. I write so fast though that it’s absolutely full of scratch-outs and misspelled words, mostly because I move so fast I often add an extra loop that likes a lowercase e at the end of words that do not need it. It’s definitely strange to think about not knowing the handwriting of most people in my life now, when I can still remember the handwriting of kids I went to middle school with. Passing notes! Sharing homework! Writing valentines cards!
What a gift to see and connect to another side of you Katie. I love this so much as it is a true act of connection. It too caused me to pause and bring to mind the handwriting of my grandmother and father. I keep little notes or recipes of my grandmother’s around because seeing them are an instant connection to her and my memories of her. I think this post is perfectly timed as it has encouraged me to send handwritten valentines to all of my loves. Thank you 💗
I LOVE it!!! I'm 60 years old, so know completely what you're talking about. Believe it or not, I even have 1 penpal left (a friend in England, whom I've never met, but we've been writing letters for almost 30 years). You once again made me think, Katie, about how we've all become so accustomed to typing/deleting. And you are correct, handwriting is an art,and it's so special and beautiful. Thank you!!
Hi Hannah, thanks for your comment! I first became acquainted with my penpal in 1996; I was traveling through Europe, seeing some concerts, and meeting up with friends. My penpal, Roger, wrote first to me, through a music fanclub that hooked up people from different parts of the world that like music. He's from England, I'm from Canada. So, we simply started writing, discussing different bands & concerts that we had seen (we still do that, btw!). Over the last 30 years, we've exchanged Christmas cards, and many letters. We've never met, although I tried on one trip to England 25 years ago. It just didn't happen. But we still write, and actually hope to meet up one day in the future.
I cannot tell you the joy this brings me! I've made several of my closest friends through the online digital space, and that you did the same but without the internet is just magic!
My favorite post ever! I love handwriting. I do my best work with paper and pen. You can't filter, as you pointed out and there is a direct correlation between brain (unconscious) or sometimes conscious to the hand. Like you said it is a direct wire. It is so much more intimate and seems to tell the recipient, I care. I care enough to scribble a few words down and give them to you. I journal heavily and It's that one thing I do for myself. I don't need a beginning, middle or and end. Or a point. Thanks for this Katie, it was beautiful and I love your handwriting. xx
You’re right, Katie, handwriting is special. Like fingerprints, unique to each of us despite being taught by the same parent or teacher. The other thing I’m coming to appreciate more with age - and the fact that we lost Mom 5 years ago and Dad is 92 - is voices. I’ve started recording some of the stories Dad tells. It’s his own voice in his own words, complete with any little stumbles or pauses. Again, something unique to each of us, to be treasured.
Handwriting is indeed an art and recording voices is a treasure. I did an audio story with my granddaughter and used tape from when she was two. I recently recorded my father telling a story. Captured his laugh which is also like a fingerprint. I’d give anything to record my mom. Or see a fresh note from her in her careful script. But she’s been gone 31 years.
I came across some samples of my handwriting going back to the 1960's and 70's. I learned handwriting in a Catholic grade school and those nuns were sticklers for perfection. But my writing was atrocious. Maybe because I am left handed?
I always print things these days using block letters. I agree it is an art and some people have a definite knack for handwriting.
Handwriting was the equivalent of knowing someone's voice, like we know on phones. We knew by their scrawls and by the way they crossed their T's. There are softwares today that can create font that matches your handwriting. But it's not the same. Handwriting also reflected mood. It different in different times. And sometimes letters were stained with tears, or grease from the fries one was munching at the time of writing or a few drops of tea/coffee. it told so many stories. thanks for sharing yours.
I did The Artist's Way at the end of last year, and one of the biggest benefits was getting to know (and slowly improving!) my own handwriting. Such a forgotten joy, especially when I spend so much time typing! Thanks for this sweet reminder.
I am just now realizing reading something handwritten is easier for me.... maybe because it is so personal? Maybe it keeps my attention more..who knows... I have never really thought about this before so thank you! :-) I love your handwriting by the way and I love it even more that I know it is written with your left hand (go lefties).
(Also who am I, two comments in a the span of a month?? My self-conscious side is dying right now.) Love you dear friend <3
Loved this! Getting to see someone’s handwriting and reading your words in this way feels like a special, intimate gift. Same thing with handwritten notes and letters - I’m all for them!
What a delight! Handwriting just generally is fascinating to me -- we were all taught the same "right" way to make letters and yet here we all are with our own unique ways, which continue to exchange and evolve over time. And on a personal level, to know someone and be able to know "oh THAT'S how you make your Rs" is just such a gift.
I absolutely LOVED this post! As I read it, I was picturing the handwriting of my loved ones. I'm a boomer, so I grew up with handwritten cards and notes. I use a keyboard for almost all of my communications because it's so much faster and I find I even "stumble" when I write something by hand. But you made me think about what is lost when we strip away the personality that's revealed in handwriting. Thank you so much for reminding me!!
I’m trying to get back to journaling and/or morning pages recently and I do feel like the muscles have atrophied. My hand gets tired faster. But I love writing by hand. I write so fast though that it’s absolutely full of scratch-outs and misspelled words, mostly because I move so fast I often add an extra loop that likes a lowercase e at the end of words that do not need it. It’s definitely strange to think about not knowing the handwriting of most people in my life now, when I can still remember the handwriting of kids I went to middle school with. Passing notes! Sharing homework! Writing valentines cards!
What a gift to see and connect to another side of you Katie. I love this so much as it is a true act of connection. It too caused me to pause and bring to mind the handwriting of my grandmother and father. I keep little notes or recipes of my grandmother’s around because seeing them are an instant connection to her and my memories of her. I think this post is perfectly timed as it has encouraged me to send handwritten valentines to all of my loves. Thank you 💗
I LOVE it!!! I'm 60 years old, so know completely what you're talking about. Believe it or not, I even have 1 penpal left (a friend in England, whom I've never met, but we've been writing letters for almost 30 years). You once again made me think, Katie, about how we've all become so accustomed to typing/deleting. And you are correct, handwriting is an art,and it's so special and beautiful. Thank you!!
OH! I'd love to hear how you and your penpal first "met"!
Hi Hannah, thanks for your comment! I first became acquainted with my penpal in 1996; I was traveling through Europe, seeing some concerts, and meeting up with friends. My penpal, Roger, wrote first to me, through a music fanclub that hooked up people from different parts of the world that like music. He's from England, I'm from Canada. So, we simply started writing, discussing different bands & concerts that we had seen (we still do that, btw!). Over the last 30 years, we've exchanged Christmas cards, and many letters. We've never met, although I tried on one trip to England 25 years ago. It just didn't happen. But we still write, and actually hope to meet up one day in the future.
I cannot tell you the joy this brings me! I've made several of my closest friends through the online digital space, and that you did the same but without the internet is just magic!
My favorite post ever! I love handwriting. I do my best work with paper and pen. You can't filter, as you pointed out and there is a direct correlation between brain (unconscious) or sometimes conscious to the hand. Like you said it is a direct wire. It is so much more intimate and seems to tell the recipient, I care. I care enough to scribble a few words down and give them to you. I journal heavily and It's that one thing I do for myself. I don't need a beginning, middle or and end. Or a point. Thanks for this Katie, it was beautiful and I love your handwriting. xx
Thank you for sharing! The personal gift of anything handwritten "sings" to me. I still love writing by hand, the old school way.
You’re right, Katie, handwriting is special. Like fingerprints, unique to each of us despite being taught by the same parent or teacher. The other thing I’m coming to appreciate more with age - and the fact that we lost Mom 5 years ago and Dad is 92 - is voices. I’ve started recording some of the stories Dad tells. It’s his own voice in his own words, complete with any little stumbles or pauses. Again, something unique to each of us, to be treasured.
Handwriting is indeed an art and recording voices is a treasure. I did an audio story with my granddaughter and used tape from when she was two. I recently recorded my father telling a story. Captured his laugh which is also like a fingerprint. I’d give anything to record my mom. Or see a fresh note from her in her careful script. But she’s been gone 31 years.
I came across some samples of my handwriting going back to the 1960's and 70's. I learned handwriting in a Catholic grade school and those nuns were sticklers for perfection. But my writing was atrocious. Maybe because I am left handed?
I always print things these days using block letters. I agree it is an art and some people have a definite knack for handwriting.
Handwriting was the equivalent of knowing someone's voice, like we know on phones. We knew by their scrawls and by the way they crossed their T's. There are softwares today that can create font that matches your handwriting. But it's not the same. Handwriting also reflected mood. It different in different times. And sometimes letters were stained with tears, or grease from the fries one was munching at the time of writing or a few drops of tea/coffee. it told so many stories. thanks for sharing yours.
What a creative and intimate act. Love this!
I really enjoyed the experience of reading this missive! It felt so much more intimate than text on the screen.
I did The Artist's Way at the end of last year, and one of the biggest benefits was getting to know (and slowly improving!) my own handwriting. Such a forgotten joy, especially when I spend so much time typing! Thanks for this sweet reminder.
I am just now realizing reading something handwritten is easier for me.... maybe because it is so personal? Maybe it keeps my attention more..who knows... I have never really thought about this before so thank you! :-) I love your handwriting by the way and I love it even more that I know it is written with your left hand (go lefties).
(Also who am I, two comments in a the span of a month?? My self-conscious side is dying right now.) Love you dear friend <3
That’s such an interesting observation!
Loved this! Getting to see someone’s handwriting and reading your words in this way feels like a special, intimate gift. Same thing with handwritten notes and letters - I’m all for them!
I loved this, Katie! Just brilliant.
What a delight! Handwriting just generally is fascinating to me -- we were all taught the same "right" way to make letters and yet here we all are with our own unique ways, which continue to exchange and evolve over time. And on a personal level, to know someone and be able to know "oh THAT'S how you make your Rs" is just such a gift.