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In this day & age, written communication is often lost on us; with just the flick of our fingers we can text our friend in India, log online on our friends iPhone over a coffee date so they can show us the pic of that friend of a friend, of a friend…  I know I’m not that old but I recall when I was a teenager & my cousin Shannon from Edmonton & I would write letters to each other; pages & pages, school pics & stickers – & I would be waiting for those moments mom would come home with the pile of mail & I would anticipate getting that reply letter.  It was similar in my later teens when my Uncle Sterling would send me letters & gift packages containing wonderful movies & magazines one could only find in the big city.  After all – I grew up in Northern Manitoba; & there was not a lot going on up here, or so it always felt in teenage angst.  That’s why these letters from cousin Shannon & Uncle Sterling meant so much; it felt like an honour someone would take that special time to communicate something to you – & I always loved being able to sit down & respond in a thought out manner.

Fast forward to this strange & full-circle time of being back home in Flin Flon to work this year; yes times have changed & I now have that iPhone to stay in better contact with the outside world as it is – but I still have a great appreciation for the few cards, letters, gift packages & photos loved ones have very thoughtfully sent to me in this time.

Most recently – I came home from work to find this little golden package awaiting me; my name written with such character & creativity.  Glancing over to the return address I read R.A.B. Perch / A. Peck of Ottawa, Ontario.  Of course I recognized the name immediately, thanks to Facebook where someone with a horrible memory for names like me can be reminded of people’s full or alias names each time they log online.  The R in R.A.B. stands for Robert, this I knew; & although Robert is not necessarily someone I have spent a great deal of time with in the physical sense – I have certainly become more acquainted with him via the social networking of Facebook.  Truth be told – I met Robert years ago, back in the days I frequented The Lookout bar on Wednesdays for Karaoke night; & we’re talking 7-8 years ago.  We’d both spend social nights there & of course I found Robert to be a sweet & polite guy – but I never would have known that we’d become acquainted enough over Facebook in the years to come that he’d be inspired to send me this care package up North. Inside this golden parcel was a sweetly written card & a ‘mixed’ cd of music by an artist he felt inclined to share with me; a fine singer by the name of Sarah Jaffe. of which he stated “I know how important music is to you, and I wanted to share some of my discoveries with you.  I hope you enjoy my selections and that one or two inspire you.”

I just have to say – THANK YOU ROBERT A.B. PERCH for being the kind  & thoughtful man you are; this package came at just the right time for me; as did this beautiful music for which I have been listening to all through my weekend.  Indeed I am inspired & more so, touched because of your gesture.  It reminds me that people can surprise you with their consideration in life; & that thoughtful little things like a hand written letter can brighten your day more than the quickest of texts.  You are a gentleman & it is certainly not lost on me.