Listing
Herhimnbryn has a lovely list up. Half advice, half personal discovery, full of a particular and warm point of view. Since it's been a very long time since a meme had any appeal, I will start here. (Later, I am going to have to think on this.)
Especially since I have a letter to write today. My fairygoddaughter is expecting it. I resolved this summer to start writing her letters, remembering writing, and getting, letters when my brother left home. This was a huge part of my writing education, and so few letters are written these days, I figured I could do this one small thing for her. A letter, then a series about the letters, in alphabetical order. She's only four, just started pre-school, and I am sure I'm writing over her head. But that's not a bad thing to do for a child. You never know what they might retain. Uncle Walt always talked to me as if I could understand complex aerodynamics, and I remember adoring him for that assumption. My brother explained how algebraic formula described lines on a graph, and I remembered it many years later. Not clearly, not with real understanding, but enough that it helped me learn it.
When Moira wrote to me, "Today, when Plum and I checked the mail, she asked, "Is it a C letter?" I hadn't prompted her to expect one; she's picked up on the fact that she gets alphabet letters just for her, and she knows which one comes next." I was more pleased than I can say. So, I better get writing. Apparently, I have a duty.
Alright, then.
Especially since I have a letter to write today. My fairygoddaughter is expecting it. I resolved this summer to start writing her letters, remembering writing, and getting, letters when my brother left home. This was a huge part of my writing education, and so few letters are written these days, I figured I could do this one small thing for her. A letter, then a series about the letters, in alphabetical order. She's only four, just started pre-school, and I am sure I'm writing over her head. But that's not a bad thing to do for a child. You never know what they might retain. Uncle Walt always talked to me as if I could understand complex aerodynamics, and I remember adoring him for that assumption. My brother explained how algebraic formula described lines on a graph, and I remembered it many years later. Not clearly, not with real understanding, but enough that it helped me learn it.
When Moira wrote to me, "Today, when Plum and I checked the mail, she asked, "Is it a C letter?" I hadn't prompted her to expect one; she's picked up on the fact that she gets alphabet letters just for her, and she knows which one comes next." I was more pleased than I can say. So, I better get writing. Apparently, I have a duty.
Alright, then.
Posted by Zhoen on Wednesday, September 29, 2010
3 comments:
How lucky you are! You have what every writer needs: an audience. I am going to try this idea with my one year old grandson. If I start now, in a year or so I may have the whole alphabet. Q and Z may be difficult -- or maybe not.
Could you, perhaps, put some of these letters here on your blog? Or are they too personal?
20th,
I'm going with the International Civil Aviation Organization alphabet, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta etc. I thought about scanning and posting them, but they are hers. Not personal, just not mine. And I color them, since this is for a 4 year old. At one a month, that gives me over two years of letters. By then, I may be able to write more normal, personal, letters back and forth.
Thanks for the link Dear Z.
Plum will always remember her alphabet letters from her fairy Godmother. You do indeed have a duty...set to at once!
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