Snail mail.

I know this post is meant to be about snail mail (see title), but, now that I'm on the topic of snails, let me start by saying I love the song Snails by The Format. Read the lyrics. They're amazing. And the music is melodic, peaceful and playful.

Here's my tattoo for this song. :-) Each time I look down at it I can't help but smile.

I'm sure just looking at this adorable tattoo has made you smile or at least experience some degree of happiness, right? In the event this is not doing it for you, I will go ahead and post a video of The Format doing Snails.



Now, back to my topic. Snail mail.

For most of us, gone are the days of snail mail. We needn't eagerly await the sound of the mail truck and run to the mailbox to see who wrote us back or who might've sent us a card or letter. Nope. We are spoiled by instant gratification. And while devilishly convenient, communication by way of instant-gratification tends to be lacking something. Lacking in some degree of substance. And often more impersonal. Abbreviated thoughts often lost in translation.

So, we have texting. Emailing. Instant messaging. Social networking. But a handwritten letter or note goes a long way.

My mom always wrote me notes when I was little. Did your parents do that? She would stick them in my lunch bag and always be sure to write "love" or "xo" somewhere. As a matter of fact, when I moved back in with her for 1 1/2 years at the age of 23, she would still write me notes sometimes and leave them on the kitchen counter if I had to work a late night and she was already in bed. Here's a photo of one of them. (Yes, I eat off play dishes and I eat with baby silverware.)

Anyway, they just make you feel good. Taking the time to actually write by hand and personalize something for is a great way to express how much you appreciate/care for someone. (I've always collected stickers and, to this day, pretty much every single time I write someone a note, card or letter I tend to add stickers or use colored pens to sort of put my personality into it. I even try to give the person stickers that are suited to him/her--whether it be their favorite flowers, foods, hobbies, animals, etc.)

Yes, I'm a bit like a grandma. I realize this. But I think I'm not alone here when I say that deep down we all secretly get a little thrill from receiving something handmade. It doesn't even have to be mailed. It could be delivered in person.

And it doesn't matter if the recipient is tattooed from head to toe, old, young, looks tough, etc. I especially enjoy giving frilly handmade cards to everyone. And I can tell you from experience, everyone enjoys them!

Give it a try. Make someone happy.

I leave you with another song suggestion. Check out Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day by Jim Croce. If this blog hasn't made you smile, that song might.

Have a fun day. Write a letter--or send a postcard. Those are fun too!