Did you know cursive writing is no longer taught? That’s true, at least in Texas where I live. Cursive hand writing is no longer taught in public schools. I can’t even begin to tell you how shocked I was to learn this fact a few years ago. How is this possible? I mean who decides these things and why? Well, I can guess the why – bigger classes, fewer teachers, more to teach, teaching to the “test.” But are these really good reasons? I don’t think so.

Cursive writing has flair, personality and individuality. Printing is, well, boring. It all looks the same. That’s why we call it “PRINT.” Without cursive, signatures will no longer be unique, signing your “John Hancock” will no longer have meaning, and handwriting experts will no longer be needed. There will definitely be a loss in the world – a loss of beauty, character and style. As John Mason said, “You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”

If this trend continues, within two generations there will be no one alive who can write in cursive. The world will be filled with printers. We already have a generation that communicates electronically and many have never actually sent and/or received a personal letter. In the future, a personal handwritten letter in cursive will be a museum piece, a precious item to be cherished and saved.

Well, I for one am not going to just stand by and watch all this happen. I have devised a plan to kill two birds with one stone. (I don’t like that saying). Let’s just say I have a multi-pronged attack plan.

I’ve decided to write a letter to each of my grandchildren yearly on their birthday. It’s a short handwritten note from me, telling them how glad I am they were born, how much I love them and all the good things I see in them.

The good thing about a note is it can be read over and over, it can be saved and it can be held in your hand. And I don’t care what anyone says, it’s fun to get mail. If you’re young, old, male, female, printer or cursive writer, it’s fun!

This habit will be very good for me also. I will spend time thinking about my “grands” and expressing my love in a tangible way. It will be positive for me to be mindful of each child’s goodness and be looking for that goodness. What a treat to be able to reinforce the positive, express my love and produce a treasure for each of my “treasures” all at the same time!

So, stop teaching cursive, I’m ready! Stop writing letters, I’m ready! Stop communicating heart to heart, I’m so ready! I’m going to remember, practice and teach. I hope you do too!