Posts Tagged ‘trees’

The Letter “F”

People assume correctly, that by cutting down on their paper usage, they are making huge strides towards saving the environment. If we need to send someone a message, we just flip on the computer and send an email. On birthdays and other celebratory events, there are websites, where you can send out electronic cards. Why waste money on a stamp and you’re doing your bit to save the trees in the meantime? It’s a win-win situation on all fronts.

I have found myself going down the same path and way of thinking. So much so, that when I actually had to write something down on a piece of paper, I struggled. My handwriting was atrocious. My partner, Mark had a similar experience when he had to put pen to paper. He had trouble remembering how to form the letter “f”!

When I was younger and still living in the U.K. I had a college friend who moved to Germany. We would write to each other every week and I looked forward to her letters. Even when I first moved to the U.S., family and friend correspondence by paper was a primary source of communication.

Don’t get me wrong, I do understand that saving trees by cutting down on paper usage is a necessity. But with the advent of computers, I fear that we are losing the art of cursive or script writing. I always remember when I was little, how much more I loved getting presents as opposed to a gift card or money. There is just something about tearing open that wrapping paper and being genuinely surprised by the gift concealed within. Even though I love getting emails from my friends, that occasional card still brings a smile to my face and makes me aware of the effort expended in its journey.

So this year, my plans are to send out recycled paper cards for Christmas and a few letters written on recycled paper – just as a “what’s up” to the past. Hopefully I’ll have no trouble forming the letter “f”!