Letters to Grandma

When I was a kid, one of the most famous people in my life was my Grandma Bea.  I lived for the week each summer that my sister and I spent at her house.  She made us peanut butter and butter sandwiches, took us to the park, played UNO like a champ, and let us watch cable TV.  It was Grandma Bea who taught me to sew and knit.  She also instilled in me the value of a clutter-free home (partly why Grandma's house felt like a spa to us grandchildren.)

In between my visits with Grandma Bea, we wrote letters.  I began each letter with "Dear Grandma, How are you?  I am fine", a salutation that I find myself using to this day.  For each letter I wrote to Grandma, I eagerly looked forward to receiving one in return, on time, within the week.

These days, letter writing is becoming a thing of the past.  In fact, just this week I spoke to Grandma Bea via Facetime on my iPhone  (no, Grandma does not have an iPhone.  In fact, she loathes her answering machine.  However, she does seem to believe in science fiction so she allowed my dad to share his technology the other day).  In an attempt to educate children about systems of the past, my son's school is studying the postal service.  The students are enjoying writing letters and mailing them to one another via the inter-school postal system.  Seizing the opportunity, I asked Joe Frank if he would like to write a letter to Great Grandma Bea.  And so, I pass the torch: