I have a list of things to do that I thought I would try to tackle. As there was nothing on TV and I wasn't in the mood for a particular movie or soundtrack, I thought I would put something on Netflix as I worked to clean the kitchen. I looked at our watch instantly queue and decided on 84 Charing Cross Road. I added that to the queue a week ago without really knowing anything about it. I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher as the movie buffered and started. I was so quickly drawn into the story and characters that I'm afraid I didn't make it past the dishes; as a matter of fact, there are a few that are left to be washed by hand. The water running and brush scrubbing would have been too loud to hear the movie over. I love when you unexpectedly find a gem. This one had some sweet and some acid, my favorite combination! While this wasn't a film for the ages or a big Oscar contender, it was a beautiful reminder of friendship, generosity, and correspondence (primarily, letter writing).
I think there is something so romantic about letter writing. In these times of texts, emails, and instant messages, no one, me included, writes letters apart from the obligatory thank you note or Christmas letter. I think there is something really special about beautiful scripts, crossed out sections from misspelled words, and more words and care than fit in abbreviated, unpunctuated mass of letters and numbers that form our modern day correspondence. I wish I could say that my feelings would inspire me to send you all hand written letters, but the chance of that happening is slim as I bow to the power of convenience.
May you all encounter a gem in some aspect of your day.
