A note about the type

Greg was a man of letters (and postcards, journals, emails, post-it notes, etc). Leaving aside his profession for a post, I'd like to share a little about his personal correspondence. My dad had such distinctive blocky (mostly capitals) print. I can't really remember what his signature looks like, but I'd know that printing anywhere. So choosing the correct card was a ritual unto itself. Then there were the creative salutations and closings, random quotes and excerpts, unusual turns of phrases, and such attention to detail.

This was a "Congratulations on your new job!" card. Undated, which was rare and means I don't remember which job. 

This is the inside of one of my favorite cards that I have ever received, from when I was a kid and had scarlet fever. The cover is a drawing of me with a thermometer sticking out of my mouth. This is the inside (Oz themed, of course).

"And come to the Emerald City to get a new throat!" 

I actually forgot about this, but when I was digging through a box recently I found a fat stack of postcards from my first year in San Diego. They were all from Greg, and as I looked at the front of them I remembered that he used to pick them out at Farmer's Market. Sometimes they were invitations to the movies or a ballgame, sometimes movie quotes, sometimes just reminders that somebody loved me and was thinking about me. I think about some of the homesick kids that lived in my dorm that first year and realize how lucky I was to get so much mail. Email was kind of a thing by then but somehow, Greg knew I would be most comforted by something physically in my hand. When I look at these postcards now, what amazes me most is how tender and affectionate the language is that he uses. On the back of a postcard! For God and the entire USPS to read in transit! These are postcards from a man who was well-versed in the art of not giving a fuck about showing he cares.

This time of year always gets me thinking about Christmas tags: Greg and his brother used to make a game of writing each other's tags on Christmas presents. It was never "To: Greg From: Gary" or "For: Gary Love: Greg." The tags were ribald, witty, and full of inside jokes that you had to be really cool in order to get. Lots of references to the Twilight Zone, the Godfather, Ed Wood. I am bummed I don't have pictures of these, but the real ones are in a box, somewhere.


So, if I could just hop on my soapbox for one minute here: write all the letters. To all the everyone. Seriously! Be true and be kind. Include compliments that are specific and authentic. Get comfortable with being vulnerable on paper. Make drawings for your kids that are funny or sweet, so that they can hoard them forever and remember always that they are well loved.

12/19/17
My dearest pop,
Still missing you like nobody's business, but...