This story originally appeared on Idealists in Action
by April Greene
My mom is an ever-loving maverick.
Septuagenarian bicyclist, landlord of historic homes, singer in the choirs of churches she's not a member of... The lady has always rocked life with gusto and generosity, and very much to her own beat.
This could not be better illustrated than by the over 20 years of letters she's faithfully written to me and my older brother.
The story goes like this:
My bro went away to college in 1992, and our mom started writing him a letter each week to keep in touch. A single-spaced, front-and-back letter, type-written on a typewriter. (To preempt the question that often comes next: Yes, the typewriter is electric, but Mom has actually never liked it and would prefer to go back to the even older days of manual!) When I moved cities to start college six years later, she began copying me on the weekly letter -- yes, with carbon paper -- and mailing a copy to each of us.
Sometimes the letters are embellished by hand-written notes in the margins, the odd enclosure (newspaper clippings of interest; a piece of fruit leather), or stickers and doodles on the back of the envelope.
The content of the missives, too, is always up for grabs. A weekly edition is never without whatever family news Mom has recently generated or become privy to, but additional discussion topics range from current events to timeless philosophical quandaries to the insight her book club buddy had at last week's meetup.
I couldn't commit to combing all 780 letters I have squirreled away in various files and folders in time to write this post, but even a random sampling through the troves turned up gems like this:
RE: The water restrictions placed on Colorado residents during times of drought: "Can only water lawns twice a week now for three hours each. HELP!!! How will this place look wi thout that green carpet? The grass helps hold in moisture for the trees, too, don't forget. I say: flush your toilets less! Shower less before sacrificing our lawns!" --August 19, 2002
RE: My brother, just before his marriage: "You are a powerful person and have the ability to do wonderful things for your new family. I'm thrilled that you have taken on this responsibility. Though I do have to say that the two of you seem awfully serious to me; Dad and I were far more playful. But your situation is sooooo different, as are the times. I just hope you'll play together, too. Play is so important." --May 9, 2004
RE: This and that? "Bonjour! Ah, that word brings back 8th grade memories and a wonderful French teacher. I still remember several French words which come in handy for crossword puzzles. Say, what would you think of a seven-foot guy who makes his living dealing with bail bondsmen, insura nce frauders, vehicle stealers and more -- living in our backyard cottage? Pretty colorful, you'd say? Even exciting?? He doesn't like people to know where he lives (of course), and think of the added security we'd feel with him here!" --January 19, 2014
People often have a hard time believing me when I tell them about my mom's letters. As a younger person, her practice didn't seem out of the ordinary, but of course as I've gotten older, the unusual factors that combined to birth and maintain such a habit have risen to my consciousness: my mom's great dislike of the telephone and (subsequently) the Internet; her unbending commitment to staying in touch with her far-flung kids -- without breathing down our necks; and her drive to write 1,000 words a week -- meaningfully and entertainingly-- while claiming to be a terrible writer.
Mom's letters have kept a quiet but enduring lifeline between us, undisturbed by time or space. They've allowed me insights into her history and personality that I doubt would have been revealed during phone chats or over email. They've certainly given me something to look forward to in my mailbox each and every Thursday -- a particularly happy thought during weeks when I've been fired, dumped or sick. What ever's been happening, Semper Fi: the letter will always be there.
Of all the reasons to laud these weekly missives, the one I've had on my mind the most lately is how grateful they remind me to be of my singular mama. She's about to be 71 and in kicking-good shape, so I hope to have a couple more decades of letters coming to me. But even if her last letter was the last ever, I'd be set for life with all she's committed so far.
Mom, if I ever have kids, they're getting a weekly letter, too. Hopefully snail mail will still be around.
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Which of your family's traditions blows your mind? Share with us in the comments.
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