A Tool Kit That Never Fails!--The Technology of Pen & Paper

Long ago, there was a time when people, of all ages, actually wrote letters—no, no, I’m not talking about “writing letters” with the use of a computer or even a typewriter for that matter. A person would sit down, pull out a piece of paper and a pen, and proceed to actually write words as a method of correspondence.


You may be thinking this is a ludicrous idea; after all, why would anyone ever take the time to hand-write something?


With all the technological conveniences available today, I think that one would be hard pressed to find anyone who, under the age of sixty, doesn’t use a computer. After all, even my seventy-four year old father uses the computer to “write” things; however, on the other end of the spectrum is my sixty-seven year old mother-in-law, who will not even consider learning how to turn one of those “things” on.

For instance, just last week, my husband’s parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. My mother-in-law decided to place their anniversary announcement in the newspaper. She called the newspaper and asked for a form to complete, so that she can have her anniversary announcement in the newspaper. The reply received was, “Oh, just go online to TCPalm.com, scroll to the bottom of the announcements tabs, and then click on ‘Anniversary Submission.’”

Well, my mother-in-law’s eyes must have glazed over somewhere between the words “online” and the “.com,” as she managed to respond, “I don’t know how to do that; I don’t have a computer!” I can just about imagine what the young lady was thinking, “Uh, hello, you don’t have a computer?” The next words to come out of the newspaper employee’s mouth were, “Oh, just go to the library and use their computer.”

Infuriated, my mother-in-law hung up and did what she normally does when she experiences a collision with technology—she called me. Of course, I had to hear the whole story, along with her defending the use of a perfectly acceptable piece of paper and a pen, along with an envelope and a postage stamp. To which I replied, “Well, things are no longer done that way, Mom; I’ll take care of it for you.”

While I consider myself technologically savvy with the use of computers, software, internet, online research, and university web courses, I still appreciate the use of a pen and paper quite often.


I still handwrite my Christmas, birthday, and “thinking of you” cards and envelopes; I still buy postage stamps and use the U. S. Postal Service. Computers are so convenient—no argument there; however, I don’t think an email quite equates to the excitement of being the recipient of an old-fashioned letter or card retrieved from the mail box.

For example, when I was a teenager, my cousins, from Chipley, Florida, and I would exchange letters in the mail. There were no emails, no cell phones, no “facebooking,” and, certainly, no text messaging in those days; a long distance telephone call was simply too expensive. To keep in touch, we had to use pen and paper and handwrite a letter or note.

If we had essays in high school to write, then we actually handwrote the essay draft, first. After we completed the revision process on paper with a pen, we then typed the essay on a typewriter. I must admit, though, I do appreciate the luxury that a computer affords by making corrections with the simple act of pushing a button and printing out a clean copy of the essay.


I am not recommending a reverse in the use of technology, just a suggestion to not forget how to use a pen and paper, occasionally.

In my working career of over twenty years, I attempted to use various software programs to keep my “To Do” list updated—Word documents, MS Outlook. I would always return to the old-fashioned notepad and pen method. Now that I’m a full-time college student, I use the same method—it’s what works for me.


As you can see, the benefits of handwriting are superior to that of always depending on a computer keyboard, and you’ll never lose your work due to a hard-drive crash!


Give it a try—

Hand write a note of appreciation for your mom for this upcoming Mother's Day. I'd be willing to bet that she'll keep that handwritten note, instead of tossing it a few weeks later.


You might find this old-fashioned “tool kit” of pen and paper works better than you ever imagined.