Cursive anyone?

I read an article in the paper today by the Associated Press, stating 45 states are  planning to adopt national curriculum guidelines in English and math that don't include cursive handwriting. These 2014 guidelines,  will, however, require students to be proficient in  keyboarding by the time they exit elementary school. Thank God, not all states agree. California, Georgia, and Massachusetts, have added cursive to their requirements, some states have left it as an option, while other states are still riding the fence.

I can hear the outcry already from some of you reading this post. "It's outdated, antiquated, everyone prints, we're a digitized society, everything is done on computers," and, the list goes on. In fact, those are some of the arguments used by the states, eliminating cursive from the curriculum, but I want to present my view.

Let me first disclose I love my tech gadgets. I have an iPhone, two Mac's, and a Kindle. I am somewhat addicted, I admit, but I also appreciate and love things from the past. Although, I love the convenience of downloading a book instantly or being able to carry thousands of books in my purse, there is nothing that can replace the feel of turning a page or the smell of a hardback book as I sit entranced, cuddled up reading by the fire.

And while my iPhone maybe attached to my hip, and I love being able to access my emails, documents, calendar or make a call whenever I want to, I hate texting with a passion. I believe it is the number one thing that has changed the way we as human beings interact and communicate with one another, especially forming intimate bonds. People have stopped talking to each other and we've lost the art of communication.

Every week I receive in my email, a letter, usually old and written in cursive. Letters of Note,  are letters, cards and postcards from all over the world, each one with a story to tell. The eloquence of their words makes me wish we still wrote letters to one another. The cursive handwriting, it tells a story. I look at the pictures of the letters and it's as if I am seeing the person who wrote the letter. I feel their spirit. The letters are touching; they move me. They, make me laugh, cry, cheer me on, and sometimes make me wish I had lived in a different time. 

Don't misunderstand me. I'm all for progress, but we shouldn't lose who we are in the process. We shouldn't forget where we came from or who are. We shouldn't throw away something that reveals so much of who we are. How many times have you watched someone run their hands over the handwritten page of a letter to feel the words written from the soul of their loved one? It's as if they could feel them. It may sound like a simple thing, but a signature is more than our name. It represents us, our honor, our integrity, our word. Somehow taking that away from our children in the name of progress, just doesn't feel right. 
Cursive anyone?

Being Grateful

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Today I will spend cleaning and baking and reflecting on the things, I am most grateful. The dictionary defines being Grateful as a feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; being thankful. Voices of gratitude are louder this time of a year, wouldn't it be nice to hear them all year long. There used to be a time when we did.

Recently, while antique shopping I came across a book, Etiquette Up To Date  by Cornelius (Mrs) Beeckman, 1938. I bought the book out of  sheer curiosity and was amazed at the author's insight, the difference in decorum, manners, and how much we're missing today by not teaching gratitude, graciousness, and thoughtfulness. Here are just a few of the pearls of wisdom from Mrs. Beeckman's book:

 “Being gracious, being thoughtful, being kind, having a decent regard for the other fellow: this is etiquette- call it good manners, courtesy, common sense, decency, or what you will – "

"People will like you better, and you will like yourself better if you graciously say "Please" and "Thank you" and "I beg your pardon," and " How kind of you to say that" and "You were very good to do that for me" and other illuminated phrases that show you do not live in a world bounded on all sides by yourself."

Sometimes I think we forget how the things we want or do  impact other people. It's good to be reminded the world does not revolve around us. 

Thanksgiving night as you head off into the Black Friday abyss, and elbow your way through Christmas crowds, remember Mrs. Beeckman and her call for decency and graciousness. Be an example to those around you and to your kids. She said, "Parents are the standard bearers for the child," and I have to agree.                                                    

The holiday season is a busy time of baking, stuffing our faces, enjoying family, friends and Christmas shopping. For some it will be thrilling and fun, while others may find it overwhelming, dysfunctional, and stressful. Whichever it turns out for you, be gracious in spirit, thankful, show appreciation and gratitude for God's blessings. Here are some of the many things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Bountiful food

4. A Roof over our heads and a warm bed to fall into after stuffing ourselves and shopping

5. Money to shop

6. The freedom to do these things

7. Faith

8. Pets

9. Health that is improving

10. Laughter

11. The ability to read

12. The ability to write

13. My readers

Comment and add your list of things to which you are grateful.

And, as we sit down with our families this Thanksgiving and express our gratitude, don't forget those who are less fortunate. Say a prayer for the hungry, the poor, those under persecution in Israel and the American citizens whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Donate to the American Red Cross to help with their recovery.

To each one of you may you and your family be blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving.