The Messages Changed Over Time

When I was in elementary school and junior high, I don't recall getting letters...I'm talking mailings. Near the end of my junior year in high school, I began getting a few letters from colleges about attending their school. Most of those letters were 'form letters;' which I gave little attention.  During my senior year, I did receive more letters but the telephone calls from coaches were more impressive and when one coach just shows up on your front steps that's a 'Deal Maker.'

While I was in college, my girlfriend, who later became my wife sent me at least two letters a week. I really enjoyed those letters. After I graduated and married, I got letters from auto and life insurance agents and even retirement investments peddles. I never did get a letter from Uncle Sam about the military. I simply missed those draft windows.

During my birthday journey counting the 30's, 40's, 50's and early sixties, I received the most letters ever. Letters about vacation spots, time share purchases, cruises, float trips, amusement parks, church tithing, automobile dealerships, health insurance companies, investment companies, entertainment offerings, ie., Six Flags, Disney World and nearby University concerts. I would like to give a shout out to AARP who began faithful letter writing on my 55th birthday and still write 25-years later.

It was about the time I hit my early sixties when I noticed drastic communication changes. I was now getting invitations to senior retirement communities, reverse mortgage lender seminars and Independent / Assisted Living facilities. Today the letters forthcoming cut to the doom and gloom end-game reality of the journey. The communication topics now offer info on nursing homes and pitches Funeral and Internment Plans.' I've made many of those arrangements but I should leave a few things for the kids to do...just to get their attention, if you get my drift! Meanwhile.

I throw all letters away these days. I don't have time to read all that stuff and still answer the telephone. Rachael calls once a week about my credit card. The police never let a week pass that they don't telephone plus any number of other callers asking for my money!

PS. I do bring in the mail most days and I've noticed my wife gets letters from, St. Jude's, Boys Town, Alzheimer's Association, Heart Association, Cancer Society, State Police, American Native Mission, Shriner's Hospital, several security systems companies and three Casinos. I need to remind her that we can run out of money before good causes disappear.