Postcards
By Colleen Edwards
I collect old postcards. Every time I see a thrift shop, I comb through the old, dusty corners to see if they have any postcards lying around. I think one of the most special things in the world is being able to read the words of other people. I always found postcards to be delightful because most of them are incredibly random. In a past world, where communication wasn’t instant and you could not text your loved ones pictures and describe your trips in detail, these teeny little cards had to suffice.
I have compiled a list of my favorite postcards I have collected throughout the years. Every time I browse through them they help me imagine what life was like for that writer.
I love to imagine who they were, how old they were, or where they are now. The mystery of never knowing makes me think a lot about how fleeting life is. I imagine the little moments of joy when some of these people were writing their loved ones, updating them on what had happened that day.
Some favorites are below:
Purling NY- Sep 10, 1945
Dear Ruby,
Well, here I am being as lazy as possible. The mornings and evenings are cool but the days are very hot. It is a perfect way to relax,
Sincerely, Hazel
I laughed out loud when I read Hazel’s first line. It’s so simple and something everyone can relate to at any point in time. I find it extremely funny that a lot of postcards I have come across mention the weather.
“The Impressive Skyline of Dayton Ohio”- 1984
Sweetheart,
Left Houston around 7:30 and arrived here at 12:00. Waiting at bus station. Hope you and George are ok. Miss you very much. The temperature here is 98 degrees.
All my love,
Your Bill
The fact that Bill uses “sweetheart” as his opening melts my heart. Temperature again.
“When the Leaves Begin to Turn” May 7, 1912
Mr. LP Leigh,
Well sir, I have not received word from you regarding money. If I don’t receive money by Saturday, May 11, I will use other means of getting it.
FM Brady
FM Brady is my hero. The level of pettiness in this postcard is unmatched. The front of the postcard has a view of a lake and says “When the Leaves Begin to Turn” and I think Brady knew exactly what he was doing when he picked this one out. I sure hope he received his money.
Clark Hill Dam- September 7, 1951
Didn’t get down to the dam but got part way.
This is my favorite one-liner I’ve come across. I hope they got down the whole dam one day.
Greensboro, North Carolina April 19, 1938
Mama,
I love you so much and I miss you heaps too. Hope you are well.
Love, Pearl Elig
I often think about how much families might have missed each other without being able to call or text regularly. I have such a close relationship with my mom and I couldn’t imagine having an extended amount of time where I couldn’t see or speak with her.
Los Angeles, California February 20,1946
Lea,
There will never be a world in which I won’t love you. I miss you.
All my heart, John
This one crushed me. I hope John found his Lea.
Writing is one of the most romantic things you can do for another person. I am obsessed with letters and I keep every single one that anyone has ever written to me. There is something comforting about being able to go back and read through old letters and postcards, either from past relationships, loved ones who have passed away, or just friends who you haven’t kept contact with.
It can remind you of the love you deserve.
We live in a world where sending postcards has become a thing of the past, and I think that is one of the saddest things to come out of this digital revolution. Taking the time to sit down and write shows you are thinking about the other person. It’s a special thing. Whenever I get a postcard in the mail I am beyond excited. The time and effort it takes to stop and write a little note to someone is next to nothing, but people can’t be bothered these days.
I often think about the postcards that I have written, wondering if someone will find one in a thrift store one day and wonder who I was or what my story is.
San Diego has an exhibit called “PostSecret” where, for the past decade, millions of people have shared their secrets anonymously on postcards with the founder of the project, Frank Warren. This exhibit opened as soon as I left San Diego, but I have wanted to go see it ever since I heard about it. It’s one of the most unique ideas I’ve ever heard of.
PostSecrets also has an Instagram account that I scroll through regularly. People send over their secrets on a postcard anonymously to this man they’ve never met or spoken to.
Some of my favorites:
“I can not clap on the beat.”
“I am a journalist in a rather tumultuous part of the world. Sometimes I fear that if I die here, everyone I know will console each other with ‘at least she was killed doing what she loved.’”
“When I was younger I thought that trees were nets to catch the sun and the wind.”
“I want to send her one last Christmas card. I love you.”
“People don’t fake depression. They fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind.”
“Stay away from people who make you think you’re difficult.”
There are billions of people that experience every day on a different level. We each have our own stories, every minute, every second, we are all running towards the next whatever.
Kurt Vonnegut always said, “No good at life, but very funny sometimes with the commentary.” I am reminded of this every time I look at old postcards. We all have our own quirks and things that make us happy. I love looking back at really old ones because it reminds me time and time again that people are more or less the same. We grow up in different generations with different ideas, thought processes, and trends, but in the end…
We laugh at the same jokes. We seek love and comfort. We are sad. We are happy.
If there is one main lesson I have learned from collecting old postcards, it is that love is the greatest force in the world. We all need love in some form, and it can be found in so many different places.
It can come from a postcard from an old friend telling you about the weather. It can come from the most insignificant little things that add up to all the big things. Life is way too short to not tell people how you feel. These postcards are a reminder of that.
I hope John and Lea found each other. I hope Pearl was able to see her mama. I hope Bill wasn’t too far away from his sweetheart, and most of all, I hope FM Brady got his money back. I hope whoever thought trees are nets to catch the sun still thinks that way, I hope the last Christmas card was sent, and I hope that person doesn’t have to fake being okay anymore.
The mystery surrounding these postcards will forever have me wondering what happened, where these people are now, or if they are okay. It makes me think of the stories we see every day when we pass by another person. It is magical to think about and it also serves as a reminder that everyone is going through life as best they can. I wish more people would remind themselves of that. Maybe the world would be a little kinder, a little more understanding, and a little less sad.
There are moments when we are reminded that humanity is just a bunch of old lost souls each trying to find our own little place.
Write a postcard. Send it to anyone. Drop it in a coffee shop for someone to pick up. Leave it on a bus. Tape it to a bathroom stall. Write little notes to the world.
Love is all we have. Use it.
Colleen Edwards loves burritos, writing, and camping. She works for Chicago’s Homeless Coalition to find housing for people who are in need. She hopes to one day write for National Geographic. Follow her on Instagram: @colleenedwards
