Greeting Cards Can Be Treasured for Years to Come

One of the latest innovations in education has been the decision to stop teaching children how to write in longhand. In a world where nearly everything is communicated via the keyboard, many scoff at the value in teaching children something which will so rarely, if ever be needed. A signature, it is said, could be the only longhand writing required in the next generation. Some may wonder aloud about how rapid, digital communication may be hurting the soul of interpersonal relationships. Can you really send a tender love email? Does a sympathetic text do the trick? Modern technology doesn’t carry the same warmth as letters and greeting cards. Less than a generation ago, postcards from friends visiting faraway places were something to enjoy for more than a day. They were given a place of honor on the refrigerator where everyone could see them. Later, they lived in a special box with other postcards from other exotic places. At one time, ladies kept love letters tied with a ribbon in a desk drawer or maybe in the bedside table. These were available for re-reading together on wedding anniversaries, with fond remembrance after the spouse passed away and became precious items to the children when both parents were gone. How many soldiers have been comforted by a letter from home? Something they could read each night and carry in their pocket each day. An email might encourage him/her for the day, but a letter can bring a smile day after day. In fact, entire historical accounts have been reconstructed from the letters exchanged between husbands and wives, fathers and sons separated by war. By contrast, it is not very likely that emails will be printed out and kept. Text messages, however meaningful, can be lost with one accidental touch or swipe. They are transitory pleasures. Digital messages are fine for exchanging information, but they don’t really do the job when it comes to sharing real warmth and depth of feeling. They arrive quickly and are forgotten almost as fast. While texts, chats, and emails have done much to quicken the pace of day to day business, there are things which shouldn’t be rushed. Telling someone how much you care in times of bereavement. Gushing over a new baby. Rejoicing over someone’s new job or promotion. Encouraging a child with praise. Thanking a person for their kindness. Wishing someone Happy Birthday. These things mean more when they are expressed in a letter or through greeting cards with a personal note. A Happy Birthday wish on Facebook simply can’t be held on to the way birthday greeting cards can be.