Practice Makes Pretty

I’d like to classify myself as an amateur calligrapher. I have always enjoyed the feeling of a good pen leaving its mark as my fingers, hand and forearm guide it across nice paper. I also enjoy doodling, though I’m not convinced I could consider myself an artist.

Unfortunately, a few years ago I was suffering horribly from carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain of dying nerves would wake me in the middle of the night. I was told surgery was the only course of action to prevent further damage. My hands still function like normal post-surgery and post-occupational therapy (boy! Never skip an insurance-paid-for hand massage twice a week!), but I must say my handwriting has changed and I find myself needing to practice and learn how to control the free-flow once again. Otherwise, how could I feel worthy of receiving payment for hand lettering addresses on envelopes, or penning a special letter to a loved one?

So, here I sit at 9:27 post meridiem, Mikaela sound finally sound asleep, and me fighting to stay awake to not only practice my penmanship but to also type a quick blogpost. (What a long sentence!)

I hope Mikaela will see the importance of possessing good penmanship. It runs in the family! My parents had beautiful handwriting. I always loved to watch my dad sign his name with such perfection. My middle brother writes as though he was Timothy Matlack. And another brother, though left-handed, writes remarkably well and definitely has a style of its own; he holds the pen and writes just like a right-hander, not all twisted and cramped up.

Jake Weidmann is a Master Penman and someone who inspires me to practice and create. I’d love to be a Master Penman! It may be a lofty goal, but Moms can dream.

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