Dear Reader,
I know I've been on a national holiday kick lately, but this one, National Grandparents Day (Sept 7), has been on my posting schedule since day one of this project. It was my paternal grandmother's letters that started me down this recent letter-writing journey.
During the pandemic, I fled the city for my parents' home on Cape Cod. One winter day, I ventured into the basement and hauled up a large, green 40-gallon tote. Inside: dozens of manila envelopes, each labeled with someone's name. The first one I opened was labeled “Nana.”
I poured the contents on the dining room table. The first thing that hit me was her handwriting. Scratchy, staccato, but all in Nana’s voice. I randomly picked one up and from the first words, I heard her distinctive voice again speaking to me. Tears arrived before I reached “All my love, Nana.” It wasn’t the nostalgia of her letters, it was the feeling that she had just written it, as though she were still alive, absolutely filling my heart with joyful memories.
Here are a few of Nana’s letters.
October 17, 1991 (I was 21)
Hello Doll,
I can't believe you wrote that article about me and the girls. It's great. Everyone that reads it (or should I say hears it, I read it down by the mailbox) all gasp. They could not believe a young person wrote it. It's beautiful. I shall save it forever and wherever I go, this will go with me. You can't imagine how proud of you I am.
All my love, Nana
April 23, 1993 (I was 23)
Hello Doll,
Have been out of commission, but my cold is leaving and I hope to get back to being. Sally fell and broke her hip. Lousy getting old, you just can't do the things you want to. Speaking of doing, I am going to senior school in Madison, WI for eight weeks this summer. I have to decide what courses to take. My arm is getting better. I go for PT twice a week for my carpel tunnel. No knitting for me for a while. (Of course it was the knitting that caused it.) Well, my love, I miss you!
All my love, Nana
July 14, 1994 (I was 24)
Hello Doll,
I tried to think of what I could do for you, but only if I had money so you will have to settle for my love. If I have anything in my possessions you would like, it's yours. Well, my love, keep writing. Thanks for the stationery. I love it.
All my love, Nana
P.S. Miss you very much. It's not the same without you. Happy Birthday!
April 16, 1998 (I was 28)
Dear Felice,
I spotted these graham cracker coupons and had to send them. So good that you are getting the chance to see different places and getting paid for it. How about the writing? Did you forget to send me the second chapter of your story? The girls keep asking me for it. Enclosed is an article about not eating cheese. Hope it helps. Well, my love, hope things are more exciting in your place. Here is dullsville.
All my love, Nana
P.S. Still thinking of the few days we had together.
I sat rapt, reading letter after letter, spanning 1982 until 1999, memories pouring out. Memories that otherwise would have been lost.
I would have included the actual clips of her letters in this post, but they're back in New York where I'm headed today after being away all summer. The first thing I do when I return isn't unpacking, it's checking my mail. I know there won't be any letters from Nana (there haven't been for more than a decade), but her letters are safe in their special folder. And on Grandparents Day, I'll pull them out again, comforted by her scratchy handwriting and her voice saying ‘Hello Doll’ one more time.
But really, I can hear her voice any day I want. I just have to open one of her letters.
With Love (and a stack of mail to sort through)
Felice
P.S. If you still have grandparents, consider writing them a letter this week. If they've passed, maybe write about them instead. Either way, you're keeping their voices alive, and that's exactly what they'd want. (Well, that and you eating second helpings.)
SONG OF THE WEEK
A-Tisket, A-Tasket by Ella Fitzgerald
CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS AND CRUISE ENTHUSIASTS! I'm thrilled to announce I'll be one of six featured authors on The Literary Adventures at Sea III Alaska Cruise this spring. Picture this: a week of storytelling, author panels, and book signings while cruising to Alaska—all in collaboration with Sapphire Books. My fellow authors include Georgia Beers, Virginia Black, Isabella, and Karelia & Fay Stetz-Waters. Learn more HERE.
Felice Cohen is an award-winning and best-selling author, best known for squeezing big ideas into small spaces—like her 90-square-foot NYC apartment (yes, really). Her books include Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love, 90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet, and What Papa Told Me, with praise from legends like Elie Wiesel and Rita Mae Brown. Her viral YouTube tour has racked up over 25 million views—mostly from people wondering where she kept her shoes. More at felicecohen.com.
What a treasure trove you have! You've inspired me to go get the bundle of letters from my grandfather that are in my desk upstairs. He encouraged all his grandchildren to write by buying us beautiful journals with our names stamped on them in gold foil. You have captured the joy and heart squeeze of those old letters and the beloved handwriting.
No not in the garage. Could be in the shed.