What you might care about when you’re 89

My grandfather turned 89 years old this year.?

When I called him to wish him a happy birthday he was cheery and grateful.?

We got to talking about all his plans for the evening.?

They were about as lively as mine in my early 20s.?

Dinner with friends…

Drinks with neighbors.

Toward the end of the conversation, I told him how loved he was and hoped he’d had a great day.?

His response caught me off guard.?

He said: “Boy, Aly, do I miss when people would write me a card.”

In an age when you can text, call, email, Instagram message, tweet, chirp, honk…

The man wanted to remember a time when he was younger and could hold the sincere wishes of his family and friends in his hands.?

Maybe it’s a yearning for years past.?

Or an appreciation for those extra little touches it takes to drop a letter or greeting card in the mail.?

He was overrun and overwhelmed with texts and calls.

And just wanted a good old-fashioned birthday card.

I know what I’m doing tomorrow.?

Here’s your sign to write someone a handwritten note and tell them you appreciate them.

Aly “snail mail” Caffrey