The "Remembering John Hancock" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reflecting back on my teaching days when I taught Graphic Arts in high school.  One of my favorite areas of the arts, as well as one of my student's favorites, was the unit in penmanship or calligraphy ….  or just plain handwriting.  I had printed 11"x17" paper with guide lines for the students to practice and many of them filled page after page with a variety of different styles of letters or fonts.  They were so used to pushing keys on a typewriter and then in later years on a computer keyboard and yet later on a phone that they had forgotten the fun and skill that it took to write a letter by using plain old handwriting.  

We also printed greeting cards that required them to use their handwriting skills to letter the inside of the card that would carry an etched or block print front to the card.  To suggest to them to pick up a pencil or pen or even a crayon and write or even print a few words was a struggle for me, but after a week of trying different fonts and different instruments, most seemed to enjoy the lost art of penmanship and handwriting.  I began the unit telling them about the many historical documents for which calligraphy had been used …. the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and even letters to mom and dad from camp when my generation was very young.  For years handwriting was the main means of communication.  It really wasn't until Johannes Gutenberg invented movable type in the mid-1400's that printing with the use of type came into use.  On or near January 23 of each year we would celebrate National Handwriting Day in my class.  

Note handwritten by Marg.

I tried to save that unit until that time of the year if possible, but if not, we would still take time out, get out the pens and ink and make a handwriting note or letter to celebrate the day.  Printing or writing in cursive actually activates different parts of the brain that usually are not exercised otherwise.   My wife's friend Marg still sends us cards from time to time that will carry handwriting, either in printing or cursive form, on the front or the inside of the card.  Her penmanship is beautiful and a card such as this means so much more than one that is purchased.  So, today, being that it is National Handwriting Day, how about writing a handwritten letter or note to someone you love or may be a good friend with and show them just how much you appreciate them.  Doesn't matter if it is with a ballpoint pen, liquid ink pen or just a pencil.  Just do it!