Hand-Writing Day

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Since I last wrote about the dying art of penmanship, it's gone further downhill. That blog ran ten years ago. 

When I went back to look at it, I noticed I misspelled the word cursive! If you follow the link back to it, you will be happy to know it's fixed.

It's handwriting day again. January 23 is John Hancock's birthday, a man known for his signature.

It seem that if I'm signing my name these days, it's with my finger on a electronic pad while looking at a screen that shows what my fourth grade teacher would describe as a scribble. 

We signed multiple forms at the car dealership a few weeks ago, we actually signed several pages of paper with a pen as well as using our finger to write on a pad

I sign at the Red Cross with a finger on a tablet-sized screen, the letters d and m are legible, but the rest is tough to read.

The thing handwriting has going for it is that it's personal. In the course of my job I sign at least a few dozen thank you letters each month. I sign and write a short greeting. It's a touch that lets the donor that we appreciate their gift and are willing to take time to say so.

I especially like handwriting notes after an event, to thank someone for making time to attend, or expressing sympathy for their loss. 

In addition to the personal touch, writing it out long-hand has benefits for the writer according to experts. Handwriting eases stress, improves focus, and helps you remember. If you highlight words in a book that you want to remember, you would be better off writing it out.

Make no mistake, 90% of the time I write with a keyboard, but if I want it to be read and possibly saved, the best bet is to write it personally because it will mean more to the person reading it. I suggest you give it a try.