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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Pen and Paper (07/17/14)
Nancy Boudreaux sat in her favorite chair looking out over the lake that had abutted her family’s property for too many generations to count. The gleam of the sun on the water, the swaying of the trees, the melody of the wildlife, and so many other sights and sounds that were so familiar that they acted as a blanket of protection for an old woman. She had lost so much over the years. Loneliness and lack of connection were her daily burden. Life had accelerated so fast in the years of her sojourn on the planet. She longed for a slower way, but she knew that was no longer possible.

“Good morning, grandma,” Haley’s chipper voice mixed with the bang of the screen door whose hinges could never get enough oil.

“Hello dear,” Nancy replied instinctively. She had become her grandmother without even trying to do so.

“It’s beautiful today.”

Nancy looked at the wonder in Haley’s eyes. She had looked at life that way once and she missed it very badly.

“What do you have there?”

“Oh, thank you cards for my birthday gifts.”

Haley sat down on the porch and laid out everything she needed. She was such a very focused young woman.

“Can’t you do that with e-mail these days?”

Haley looked up and replied, “Yeah, I could, but it doesn’t feel right.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. It just doesn’t seem very personal. I like to use pen and paper.”

Nancy turned away to hide her tears. She did know. Maybe there was some hope for the next generation. Haley was pouring personal sentiment into each thank you. She was pouring her heart and soul out with each stroke and that had to mean something.

“Are you okay, grandma?” Haley asked after finishing her first card and carefully placing it in the envelope.

“Never been better,” Nancy replied with a smile.

Haley smiled and went back to work; a very focused young woman.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
C D Swanson 
07/25/14
Loved this! Yes, there are still some "younger" ones who take time for "paper and pen" and write thank-you cards!

I've been the recipient of some most recently. It was a great joy to see.

Both were from my niece/Godchild. My sister did a fine job indeed!!

God bless~
Jodi Gardner
07/26/14
Very sweet. Wonderful reminder to all of us to personalize our love for others. Thank you for that. Story flowed very nicely.
Terry Atchison
07/27/14
Nice subject. Sadly, I believe that in a few years cursive writing will become a thing of the past. It is always nicer and more personal to receive a handwritten message.