The Gum Grandma says, “Let’s get Retro!”

How can you create relationships

with people you only see once or twice a year?

That’s a question I’ve asked myself because most of my 13 grandchildren live far away. In fact, most of my children live far away.

One of my children’s complaints about their grandparents was that they weren’t very connected with them. We lived in Montana and it was a looooong drive to see them. They wanted to hear from their grandparents. So, when I became a grandparent, I decided to make the effort to connect a bit more. There have been years when I was fabulous and years when I wasn’t. But all in all, over a long period of time, I think it has worked out well.

With my children, we have learned how to use technology to stay in touch. We have a video app. that we talk on so we can see each other. It’s always nice to see someone’s face. We don’t spend hours a day on this endeavor. However, there will be a post every few days about the mundane as well as the exciting. We got to travel along when our son and daughter in law went to Costa Rica. We can get a blow by blow account when a baby is on the way. We have listened to violin recitals, watched portions of plays and seen some baseball games. We know when someone’s out of work or has gotten a new job.

The grands get on every now and then. Those over eight will share what’s happening at school, a test or activity. Parents will get the littles on every now and then and I love seeing how they’re growing up. I reply by singing songs to them or telling jokes.

But here is what I have done most consistently. I write letters and send cards. I know its old school, but it works for creating very connected relationships. There’s something thrilling about opening the mailbox and seeing a real letter. It even makes me feel a bit excited when it happens, which in our world of technology isn’t often.

A few months ago, I was having a conversation about writing letters and sending cards with a friend; I send hundreds a year. She said that she didn’t think it mattered to people anymore and that I was wasting my time and money. So, I asked the question on my Facebook page and got a lot of responses. Out of all of them, only one person felt like my friend. Everyone else talked about how they loved getting letters and cards as kids and how it’s still cool when it happens.

Let me give you some examples of how impactful a simple letter or card can be in the life of someone else and how connecting it is.

I have a nephew who has had a hard time growing into adulthood. So, many years ago, I decided to send him a card for every birthday.

A couple of years ago my nephew, who is now an adult, was really struggling with his life. That year when he got my card, he happened to be at his mom’s. She told me that when he opened it, he looked at her with a big smile and said, “She never forgets!” It matters to him!

Another sister has a granddaughter who has had some significant challenges due to divorce and parents who struggled, so when she was turning 16, I decided to send her a card. When she opened the card, she looked up and said, “This is the only card I have ever gotten for my birthday!” It isn’t that no one is saying Happy Birthday, it’s just that it’s all digital. That card meant a great deal to her.

Last year I sent an anniversary card to one of my sisters. On her anniversary she called, and this is what she said. “When I woke up this morning I couldn’t get out of bed. There wasn’t any reason to get up. Nothing new or interesting was going to happen today. But when I got up there was your card. You can’t imagine how much it meant to me!”

When my kids were teens some of them struggled with drugs. They didn’t always live at home. So, I began writing letters. I sent the letters to all my kids, even those who were at home. I bet they thought I was crazy to send a letter through the mail when I could have just handed it to them. But I know the letters mattered and kept our straying children connected enough to us that they never got lost. At some point, one of them took all the letters and put them in a book which she then gave to everyone for Christmas. It mattered!

Here’s another cool thing about cards and letters 

In my letters and cards to my grandchildren, I always tape a piece of gum. On a birthday I may add a couple of dollars. That’s all. Years ago, as a family, we determined that we would not spend lots of money on gifts for either birthdays or holidays. We have all stuck with that intention. However, my grandchildren have other grandparents who send cool gifts in the mail. I worried about that. But I didn’t need to.

I voiced my concern to one of my daughters and here is her reply. “Oh my gosh mom, the kids LOVE your letters and cards. They care far more about them than any toy they get in the mail. In fact, they call you the Gum Grandma!”

Cards and Letters aren’t just for Grandparents 

You know, this isn’t just useful if you’re a grandparent. It’s valuable advice if you’re a parent who shares custody or who lives in a different state from your child. Get retro. Send a letter or card and do it regularly, even if you live in the same town. You’ll be amazed at how impactful it will be to your relationships.

So, what do I write about? Anything and everything. I write about the nearest holiday, what is happening in the news, what I am learning about, where I have been, what I am doing. Stuff, any old stuff. The letter can be long or short. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that someone took the time to sit down and share a thought or two. A card or a letter says loud and clear, “I see you. I hear you. I love you. You matter to me!”

How do you feel when you get a letter in the mail? How did you feel when you were a kid and it happened? I’d like to know.

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6 Responses to “The Gum Grandma says, “Let’s get Retro!””

  1. Every time I get a card or letter in the mail, my first thought is always, “Oh wow I got a letter from ______. If it’s a birthday card, I kind of look for them because my parents or kids send them to me but if it’s a note just out of the blue, it’s always exciting. One particular lady who’s in her 90’s always sends me a long 4 page hand written letter every Christmas. I look forward to those and hearing all her news.

  2. Raynae, I feel the same way when I get something in the mail. If it is an actual letter I feel like I just won the lottery. : )

  3. I love letters in the mail, but for some reason I cherish the actual handwriting. The messages are great but something about seeing the hand writing, especially those of deceased family, seems to share so much personality. It’s almost like I can hear their voice coming through the handwriting. Thanks for your articles. Out of all the email I get from various sources, I always read and am uplifted by yours.

    1. Sheryl, I hear you. When I get a card, if it has a handwritten message, then I feel the love. : ) I enjoy handwritten letters the most too. However, I do type many of the ones I send to my grandchildren because I make small changes to each one and then I can print them off. The younger generation doesn’t seem to mind. Maybe it’s because they have not had many handwritten letters. : ) When it comes to special occasions though, I hand write. : ) Thank you for your kind words about the articles. I am so glad that they make a difference for you. : )

  4. I get excited to get birthday cards or Thank You notes in the mail. I feel special, loved & connected to the person. I don’t think I’ve received a letter for 20+ years. I would love to receive some again. Maybe I’ll start sending some out (I used to be good about it then kids came & homeschool started & I got lost in life). Thanks for sharing this! And how fun to be the “Gun Grandma”!

    1. I’m with you Natalie, I like getting cards, especially those that have a handwritten message added. : ) If you write letters you’ve got to do it because you love those you write to and want to connect with because chances are you won’t get many back. I know because I have been doing this now for a few decades. But I still keep sending them and when I am with those people face to face we are connected. : ) You should head on over to my Facebook page and PM me your address and I will write you a letter. Then you can write one to me. I love getting letters! Seriously, I’m not kidding. : ) https://www.facebook.com/mary.a.johnson.908

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