Back In the Day

Dear Connor,

Nothing makes you feel older than when you realize that something that was so common during your childhood is now so uncommon that it's completely foreign to your child. I grew up with cassette tapes, answering machines and cursive writing--and you have no idea what those things are! I used to write letters to my friends on actual paper using an actual pen but now my hand cramps if I have to write more than a few sentences because I'm so used to typing instead. And when I had to send a paper check in the mail today (versus an electronic one digitally) and write out the address on a physical envelope, the whole thing felt so foreign; I hadn't mailed anything other than a Netflix DVD in years. When I was younger, it was fun to pick out cool stamps from the post office, drop your envelopes into the mailbox and receive letters addressed to you mixed in with the catalogs and advertisements. But "snail mail" is not really going to be a thing for you and that is such a jarring realization. I wonder what other things from my lifetime are going to be phased out during yours?

Love,
Mom