Been ruminating about this for much of the day. And I don’t even know if my response qualifies as an answer to the question. Well….

I really cannot pinpoint one in my lifetime. So lets go with this set: pen and paper. Oh, and enevlope. Nothing beats sharing your thoughts, support, gratitude, forgiveness and love as expressed on a hand written letter or note.

A note or letter to a team member. Customer. Parent. Friend. Stranger, Child. Sibling. Family. THE love of your life.

There is just something about a pen and paper that draws you fully in. It just comes out better than words. It captures a deep part of you that touches another in a lasting way. Opening them up so as to add your piece within them.

Conversations are built the same way. Expression, emotion, empathy, energy, embarrassment, entertainment that become a part of your life, through the spoken word. Moments that remain for the rest of your days.

And yet, when a moment apart, alone and affirming is captured on paper by pen, it is truly permanent. An altogether different manner of expression and connection. True conversations aren’t just heard, they are felt. The written word is absorbed and assimilated.

And because it can be physically given, that gift can be received over and over.

Unfolded, read, refolded, tucked into envelope, placed in it assigned space.

Again.

Again.

And again.

Forever.