Concerning behavioral response to cards and papers, genetics doesn’t necessarily determine whether someone is a saver, a read it and toss it, or creative blend of both. I don’t know if one inherits such traits, or if they just happen, although examples of others, especially well-thought-of adults help create ideas. Observation can go a long way in attracting others to certain skills, habits or behaviors. And like most everything in life, or so it seems, that can be good or not so favorable. It depends on mixed variants. A rather heavy topic given that I was simply looking for an interesting project for frigid, icy days and nights when alternatives were few.

What part I “inherited” and what part is my personality, I don’t know, but I love keeping nearly anything that’s a paper product, especially hand-written information. Stories, poems, explanations, letters, cards and more open up a swelling of gratitude and much joy as I read and sort. Interestingly, my parents didn’t seem to save many keepsakes from my childhood. Or maybe they did, but a box may have accidentally been discarded or some other mishap occurred. Based on what I’ve saved through the years, it appears I’m trying to overcompensate for what wasn’t saved earlier.

While searching for entertainment, I decided to go through a large box of cards and letters. They weren’t mine exactly, but rather a plethora of cards I sent from 1970 on to my then boyfriend, now husband of 50 years and 10 months. I love greeting cards and wasn’t hesitant about spending money to show my appreciation of him and the cards. I don’t remember exactly when we agreed to discontinue exchanging cards, but financially it was a lucrative decision. I think we bowed out at the right time.

Not only are there cards and letters from me, but also from our three children. I’m certain not every piece of paper they wrote on and gave their Dad is there, but included are many written in that sweet, uneven child’s handwriting and also some from their college days. It’s not a box to go through in an evening. The contents need to be studied and savored and every so often the reader needs to dab away moisture from the eyes. Must be dust from years of storage.

After enjoying the contents of so much reading material, I felt like I’d mastered a history lesson. Not just from what I’d read, but from envelopes that included much interesting information on them. Various designs of Love stamps, Christmas stamps, and those featuring the Olympics; mailings from Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, (we both worked for the airlines); multiple stickers on envelopes indicating the season and pop culture at the time; an envelope sent by airmail from Hawaii to Illinois in 1970 for 12 cents; and some barely legible notations.

So what is the latest status on the very large box of stories and letters and sweet memories? We’ll share them with their original writers, and let the writers decide if they should be passed on or thrown away. I cannot make that decision, nor should I. Even a well-organized house only has so much room, and we’re at capacity, thanks to me.