YOU’VE GOT MAIL

I had just finished addressing an envelope to my sister. The stamp was already attached and as I stood up from my chair, licking the envelope closed, I began walking towards the front door.

My son Alex caught up with me when I was halfway out the door.

“Where are you going?” He asked as he held the door open.

I showed him the envelope. “I’m putting this in the mailbox before the mailman comes.”

“Who’s it to?” He asked as I walked down the front steps.

“Aunt Lizzy.” I stopped and turned around. “I was reading an article in the newspaper about a church in Antwerp that I think we visited on our trip to the Netherlands. I cut it out and I’m sending it to her.” I began to walk down the driveway.

“Why not take a picture of it and send it to her email?” Alex called after me.

I held the envelope over my head. “Because we’re old and we like getting things in the mail that aren’t bills.” I called back to him.

I opened the mailbox at the end of our driveway, leaned the envelope against the side, closed the door, and put the red flag up.

I headed back up the driveway and saw Alex was still at the front door waiting for me. As I walked in the front door and passed by him he closed the door. “You know, Aunt Lizzy would have that article right now if you sent it to her email.”

“But what’s the fun in that?” I asked as I went to the kitchen and grabbed a glass and filled it with water. “Now, in a few days, she’ll call me up and we’ll talk about our trip!” I leaned against the counter and took a sip.

“But you could have that conversation ten minutes from now if you sent it to her email.” Alex argued.

I shook my head. “The term ‘you’ve got mail’ means something different for you and I.” I held on to my glass as I headed to the living room. Setting it on the coffee table I reached for the book I’d been reading. “I don’t know many people who write letters anymore.” I sighed as I sat down on the couch and opened my book to the page that held my bookmark. “I’m afraid it’s definitely turning into a lost art.” I leaned back against the cushions and got comfortable.

“How long do you think it will take for Aunt Lizzy to get your letter?”

I leaned the open book against my chest as I scrunched up my nose in thought. “Well, it could take weeks because in her development she has to drive to her mailbox so she doesn’t do it everyday.”

“Weeks!” Alex sounded surprised.

“I know! For some reason it drives me crazy when she tells me that!” I held up my finger. “But,” I continued. “She’s got an app on her phone that shows her a picture of every piece of mail she gets.” I looked over at him and smiled. “I’m pretty sure her curiosity will get the best of her when she sees a letter from me.” I gave Alex a wink. “Especially if I don’t say anything to her about it when I’m talking to her on the phone.”

“That’s a sneaky way to get her in the car and have her drive to her mailbox.” Alex laughed.

“See?” I picked up my book and placed the bookmark on the coffee table. “There’s always a method to my madness.”