there’s a wonderful mystery to receiving a parcel or letter in the mail. and not just any parcel or letter – it’s the kind that comes from a real person. and with the news of canada’s upcoming postal service change – all the more fitting.
i am one of lucky few who get to open such a package. a package packed by a real person. no machine was used in the making of. the grin that comes across my face is like none other. little notes and treasures hidden among the biodegradable packaging peanuts.
i am, of course, talking about parcels specifically sent from my mother.
when did it all begin? hmm… i believe it was my first year at college. my parents own their own business – Workshop Supply – so naturally, my mom is able to ship things across the country with ease.
i remember feeling so independent the first time i received such a package. i even had to show ID upon picking it up – i’m so grown up i thought.
laundry detergent
a new towel
articles ripped out of magazines
old pictures
were but a few of the items that came inside. 7 years has passed since i moved to toronto and i’m still receiving packages in the mail. last month i opened one up to find a trinket box my grandma had given me long ago, probably lost and then found in my childhood bedroom, some pictures and birthday cards from highschool, a stamp, gold embossing powder, a pin of a christmas present and a tiny note from a friend hidden inside the trinket box. it arrived to my work, finding its way to my desk. (mom, christie – you both sure made my day! thank you again.)
when was the last time you sent something in the mail to someone? i joined a postmark society a little while back, and don’t like to admit that i have yet to send my blogger pen pal a letter. i even have a letter i was supposed to send to someone in Japan back in, oh, i don’t know… JUNE! i’m challenging myself to do both of those things this week, because, who doesn’t like getting mail from a real person! on time or not! i even made both of my grandmas the little package pictured above as their christmas present. stamped january through to december – i will write to them once a month, giving updates on the odd and awesome happenings of my life. i’ve already received a letter from one of them!
i encourage everyone to take the time to send something to someone in the mail. it will be fun for the both of you! fun for you because you get to decide what to send – a package, a postcard, letter, a doodle, whatever you fancy! and if you don’t tell them by text or tweet ahead of time, they’ll come home to a pleasant surprise one day. the unexpected can be fun! just don’t tell them if and when you’re sending it – because if you forget or it gets lost, or the dog eats it… they’ll never be the wiser. classy.
***if you stumbled upon this blog hoping to read about one of my (and i’m sure one of your) favourite romantic comedies – you’ve got mail – then i suggest you head on over to Design Sponge, and check out the post that Amy put together inspired by the film. or just go watch it – because it’s an awesome movie! probably on my top 10 list to be perfectly honest.
Becky Gean and littlesiddallstudios – January 15th, 2014.