Happy New Year again!
Last time I wrote about things I wanted to accomplish in the new year, and I am sure your list is full, too. I do want to share a story with you, as this morning I did something that I have been wanting to do for years.
First let me give you the backstory. When I was in the 5th grade, we started cursive writing with a fountain pen. We had evidentially graduated from pencil to pen, and this was a dream come true. There were no felt-tips or rollerballs like there are today, just ballpoint pens. So, getting a fountain pen was heaven.
My first pen was a typical school pen. You inserted cartridges and wrote away. My ink was navy blue or black. I loved the sound of the pen moving across the paper and seeing flow of ink. I always managed to get the ink all over my fingers as I changed the cartridges.
One day, a sweet friend of mine walked in with her second fountain pen (not in the budget for me) and proceeded to write in peacock blue ink. I went weak and could hardly think. Peacock blue ink. She had just entered a status untouched by the rest of us. I watched with intense jealousy as she wrote her notes in her notebook with this glorious ink. That always stuck in my mind.
Years later I was shopping one day at a store that was having a moving sale. The closeout table contained items the owner had found in the back storage room. There it was! A box with a glass bottle of peacock blue ink. I grabbed that so quickly and just rejoiced at this find. My racing heart slowed down after I had paid for this and took it home. I tucked it away with my prized possessions. I never opened it. I just looked at it from time to time and thought of the day my friend premiered it.
Today I decided 2022 was the year of doing things I had put off, and using this ink was top of the list. I carefully went to the hiding place and retrieved this 35-year-old bottle of ink. Today was the day!
I got my fountain pen and drew up the ink into the cartridge and wrote my first card. The ink was perfect, as if it were brand new. Through this blog, you know of my love of fountain pens and colorful inks. I love all of them. But today was special. The old vintage ink had come to life and brought such joy as I wrote. My handwriting was even neater as each letter was formed. I do have a little ink stain on my fingers…why not?
Let’s make 2022 a year of doing things we have placed on the back burner. It doesn’t have to be anything big, just something that will delight you. When the ink is gone, I will smile and remember this time.
Today, do something fun!