Thursday, August 27, 2009

You've got grand mail

An unusual mail popped into my inbox today. It seemed like spam at first glance, and I almost hit the 'delete' button, before I took a second look. 'Anybody home' it asked in the subject line. I opened it to see a one-line mail in blue in the the typical Helvetica font that spammer's seem to adore.

This message is to determine if the email address is correct and will contact my grandson Josh?????

I could just picture it: grandpappy William sitting in front of his newly installed desktop, peering at the crumpled note of paper where Josh had hastily scribbled his email address. Perhaps he had just set up his first email account and was trying to contact all members in his family. Maybe he'd even sent out a couple of mails to Josh only to have them bounce back. And so the 'message to determine...'

It seemed sweet that a grandfather would attempt to contact his grandson by mail. I wondered what it would be like to receive an email from my grandfather. Not that I would, of course, considering he'd passed on when I was 13, but even if he were alive, I doubt he'd have gotten interested in email.

There are few things I remember about my grandfather, and they are mostly the quirks. Like the snuff box he always carried around, from which he pulled out tiny amounts of brown snuff which he tucked into his nostrils. It would result in thunderous sneezes which shook the room, and made his thick bushy hair stand on end. A bit like Einstein.

My granddad wasn't big on conversation. I remember him standing at the living room window, looking out at traffic on the busy Eastern Express Highway for hours on end. Or he'd sit on the black sofa lost in thought, his eyes hidden behind blurry spectacles, while his feet shuffled involuntarily. The only time he got really animated was while watching cricket on TV. If the cricketers ever heard the insults and abuse heaped on them, they would turn red with shame, and would probably rush to seek out alternative careers.

But one thing I'll always remember my grandfather for is the greeting cards. They always arrived early; the harbinger of birthdays and festive occasions. The writing on the envelope was unmistakable, a beautiful, unusual handwriting. And the cards always felt like they were specially created only for you. Where the printed wishes ended, my grandfather would continue with his personal missive. The entire blank space in the card would be filled with his wishes, counsel and blessings. And right at the bottom, he'd sign off with the date. Sealing off a moment in time. Even now, when I browse through the cards, I can recall the moment of receiving them. And relive the feelings of being an 8-year-old (with a birthday party to look forward to).

So yes, I doubt my grandfather would have embraced email communication. And I doubt I would have enjoyed receiving a mail from him without his trademark handwriting. And without the faint scent of snuff.

13 comments:

Sid said...

Was it spam after all? Or was it really Grandpappy looking for grandsonny?

Parmanu said...

Precisely my question too, Sid. Did Lee follow the Grandpa trail, and if yes, where did it lead?

Unknown said...

Leela, i couldn't care less if it were spam or where the trail lead. THANKS for that loving, remembrance,evoking so much tenderness and deep observation and tons of grandchild affection. May grandpa resting in peace, bless you over and over again.

Leela said...

Sid/Parmanu: Dunno. I replied that he'd gotten the wrong person. But haven't heard from anyone since then.

Marline: Thanks for the loving encouragement, as always.

Ditz said...

Leela, touching the way you remembered your grandfather. I remembered my grandmother who sent cards each year (I miss her most this time of the year). Bless you Leela.

Last Mallu in Dubai said...

Vintage Lee. Thank you for making us stop by and smell the nostalgia.

pradip said...

me back with a new post..awaiting ur comments:-)

SwB said...

what the- Lee?!? ... deleting posts?? that's something only I can do :)

Leela A said...

Saltwater: Yeah, something came up. Promise I'm not trying to copy your style :)

Anonymous said...

How can i remove windows xp from my laptop and reinstall windows Me -the laptops original software?
I suffer with recently bought a in use accustomed to laptop that is old. The living soul I had bought it from had installed windows xp on it, even for all that it instance came with windows Me. I be to eradicate the windows xp because it runs slows on the laptop because it takes up more memory than the windows Me would. Also I want to unseat windows xp because it is an forbidden copy. So when I tried to run updates on it, windows would not install updates because the windows xp is not genuine. [URL=http://hzpodpl.hostific.com]air cargo ground handling process[/URL]
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Answers :

It's better to take one's leave of [URL=http://zxrengh.hostific.com/robert-pacholik.html]robert pacholik[/URL] Windows XP and even-handed upgrade your laptop. It's much better. [URL=http://xwurmbs.hostific.com/igor-voyeurweb.html]igor voyeurweb[/URL] In addition to, Windows XP is way [URL=http://oidaeia.instantfreehosting.com/window-handle-escutcheons.html]window handle escutcheons[/URL] heartier then Windows Me. Windows Me is obsolete and multifarious programs that can come across with XP, can't [URL=http://tksdeie.instantfreehosting.com/hl7-for-dummies.html]hl7 for dummies[/URL] look over with Me.
------------------------------
all you have to do is interject the windows me disk into the cd drive. then reboot your laptop, when the resentful [URL=http://mpgyvib.instantfreehosting.com/removing-car-pinstripe.html]removing car pinstripe[/URL] shield with all the info comes up and when it asks u to boot from cd [URL=http://zxrengh.hostific.com/robert-bender-fnu-lnu.html]robert bender fnu lnu[/URL] hit any key when it tells you to then install from there !!! I RECOMEND SINCE ITS AN ILLEAGLE TWIN TO WIPE [URL=http://noxynjc.hostific.com/mckenzie-river-instruments.html]mckenzie river instruments[/URL] ELSEWHERE THE [URL=http://aoryvuo.hostific.com/train-service-dog-idaho-insulin.html]train service dog idaho insulin[/URL] TOTAL TIRING GOAD WHEN IT ASKS YOU WHICH UNDENIABLE [URL=http://yfyawde.hostific.com/noiseless-pedalboards.html]noiseless pedalboards[/URL] PROD TO INSTITUTE IT ON. THEN SUM ALL THE ABOVE PAUSE ON THE WASTE [URL=http://eeuikgx.instantfreehosting.com/redneck-christmas-cartoon.html]redneck christmas cartoon[/URL] HARD SPUR ONTO A BRAND-NEW FILE FINGERS ON, IT INCLINATION LOOK LIKE C:/ Exposed or something like that

Anonymous said...

Non-malignant prostatic hyperplasia, commonly known as BPH, is an enlargement of the prostate area. It is more exuberant in older men. As men are becoming more polished connected with healthfulness issues, they rig out to medical treatment as a replacement for BPH. Dutas, a generic appearance of Avodart([URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-pdr.html]avodart pdr[/URL] [URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-citrus.html]avodart citrus[/URL] [URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-side-effects-and-localized-edema.html]avodart side effects and localized edema[/URL] [URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-flomax.html]avodart flomax[/URL] [URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-cialis-clomid-diflucan-dostinex-gluco.html]avodart cialis clomid diflucan dostinex gluco[/URL] ), has been proven as an moving treatment of BPH. BPH and its symptoms that adversely affect the grandeur of lifestyle can be treated successfully away Dutas. The first foretoken evidence of BPH is the frequency of requisite to urinate. This occurs chiefly at night but then progresses to the have occasion for to urine frequently entirely the day. BPH sufferers subsequently report a reduction in power in urine stream. Bother accompanies this reduction. A medical doctor should supervision testing to terminate if BPH is the genesis of the symptoms. The effectiveness of Dutas is set up in the chemical unite Dutasteride. This active ingredient is an alpha-reductase 5 inhibitor which impedes the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is considered a telling form of testosterone. BPH symptoms vanish once the conversion is interrupted. Dutas has been set to be noticeable in BPH for uncountable sufferers. Prescriptions finasteride and finasteride has been shown to only curb one isoform of alpha redictase 5. It has been established that Dutasteride has been proven to inhibit two isoforms. Dutas incontestably appears to victual the unexcelled treatment available after BPH. Dutas make be entranced as directed with some precautions. Erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual libido are the most commonly reported side effects during practice of Dutas. Gynecomastia or enlargement of man's breast conglomeration is another possible side effect. Additionally, women who are pregnant or women inferior to grow pregnant should not be exposed to Dutas; developing man's fetuses can be adversely affected on these inhibitors. Dutas can be occupied wholly the fell so special suffering should be exercised in regard to expressive women or women second-rate to fit pregnant. Another side power of Dutas is a positive one. Some men possess reported braids replenishment while enchanting Dutas. BPH can be treated by way of discussing medications and plausible side effects with a medical professional. Dutas can give effectual treatment of BPH. A worry-free, active spark of life is well advantage the effort.
[URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/order-avodart.html]order avodart[/URL]
[URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-generics.html]avodart generics[/URL]
[URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-vs-finasteride.html]avodart vs finasteride[/URL]
[URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-cape.html]avodart cape[/URL]
[URL=http://jeqpqpv.1freewebspace.com/avodart-and-heart-problems.html]avodart and heart problems[/URL]

Anonymous said...

Your content is simply among the best . Altogether feeling of the webpage is definitely awesome .
locksmith aurora
jupiter FL locksmith
Locksmith Union City
Locksmith Fremont
Locksmith Milpitas CA
Locksmith Newark
miami beach locksmiths
Locksmith Mesquite
miami fl locksmith
miami fl locksmith
Locksmith Mesquite
locksmith fort worth tx
locksmith miami fl
hialeah locksmiths
locksmith plano tx
pembroke pines fl locksmith
Locksmith Mesquite
miami beach fl locksmith
locksmith irvine
Locksmith Mesquite
locksmiths fort worth
mesquite locksmiths
locksmith miami beach fl

abercrombiefitch said...

Thank you for your article to share with us, our online store Nike Outlets, have a good product Nike Air Max shoes, interested welcome to come in and see 2011 Cheap Nike Air Max Online Store, Hot products: Nike Air Griffey Max 1 Shoes. Best Nike Shoes .