Mail Call!

 I just wanted to say that this has been the best month of mail ever. First of all, getting mail out here is like getting mail at camp. It's really fun and makes me feel like a kid again. For the past six weeks, every time I go to the mailbox it seems there's either a birthday card, a thank you note, a package, or a baby announcement. I realize part of this is credited to Guam post, which can take anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks to get stuff out here, with no rhyme or reason as to what will arrive when.

Super creative homemade card & letter from Laura - Love it!

That said, I am so grateful that people still keep in touch via snail mail. No matter how advanced our technology gets, nothing will ever replace seeing the handwriting of that friend you've known since high school inked in some pretty color on some beautiful piece of stationery. There's something so comforting about knowing this card I'm holding in my hand was in my friend's or aunt's or sister's hand just a few days ago. And even more special is the fact that they took the time to think of me, write me, dig up our weird GU address, and mail it.

As of yet, I haven't included any of my own poetry in this here blog. But since it is my blog and I can do whatever I want (not sure why I always have to remind myself of this), I'm going to throw it out there. I wrote this poem ten years ago when Nick and I started dating. I have always been drawn to the idea of keeping in touch through letters, and I could never put my finger on just what made it so special. So here it is... a poem I wrote when I was 18 that I think still says it pretty well (though I don't think it will be winning any awards...).

Letter Connected

From miles and miles across the land 

Arrives this letter I hold in my hand

Seeing the rigid marks of your pen

Makes me feel closer, for it's somewhere you've been

Just days ago you sent these words my way

To touch my heart and comfort me far away

Feeling alone, but you help me cope

From worlds away comes love in an envelope

The words so touching my spirit soars

Not for text or meaning, but because they're yours

And it makes the pain a little better

Two hearts connected through the love in this letter.

Thank you, friends and family, for sending so much love our way. It means so much when we're so far away!

I just reread those last two lines. The poem was over and that wasn't supposed to rhyme.

Okay, that was a total accident.

I guess I have a knack for this poetry stuff... or do I?