These Written Words.
I like writing.
And I'm not even referring to writing prose or other literature, what I mean is I like to write letters. I hardly think I can come up with any decent prose or poetry. But I like letters. I've had it in me since I was young, or it is probably a carry over from my Catholic schoolgirl days. We used to exchange a lot of notes, I have no idea why. Don't get me started about collecting scented stationeries and what not. That's for another entry, hehe.
My Mom wrote me notes when I was young. She especially liked scribbling at the back of photos. Aside from the obvious indication of the date and the occasion at the time each photo was taken, she liked to write about how the general feeling was when the photo was taken. When I look at old photos now, I sometimes strip it off albums, curious to see what my Mom wrote on the other side.
My Dad used to write me greeting cards on special occasions. Lately, I miss my Dad even more. So maybe that's why, every year, I ask a handful of friends to give me cards instead when they ask me what I want for my birthday.
I like letters. I like how people actually take the time to compose thoughts (or write the most random of things) and make an effort to write things down, what with this age of texting and emails. I like the idea of them going to bookstores, poring over shelves, choosing the card. I like seeing ink on paper. I like how careful people are, trying not to "make a mess" when writing things down (no erasures, sentences in straight lines). I like to see names written down: Dear Je, Love XXXX.
When I write letters to people most important to me, I imagine a part of my physical self being transferred down on paper. I think I communicate best when I write it down. I have no problem talking things out (I like talking too, hahaha) but I am more articulate when I write it down. I wish I'd kept copies of some of my favorite letters that I wrote. Oh, but they belong to the people I gave them to. It's for them to keep or dispose of, whatever they may choose. See, this letter-writing thing is like declaring your feelings eh. You can't force people to love you back. You only gather your guts to tell them how you feel then you pray to all your gods that they feel the same way too. Your heart is up for grabs, you just hope they don't play around with it like sharks throwing around half-dead seals. But I digress. HAHAHA. And I said I'm clearer when writing. Did I say I have flighty thoughts as well? Haha.
So here's a picture of the card loot I got this year:
Lovely. Thank you to those who remembered to bring and mail the cards. :)