When I was travelled across America, as a full time musician, I wrote actual letters to friends. Yeah, we didn’t have any instant gratification devices back then. So, the choices were long distance, phone calls, or letters.
And letters to friends was my preference.
Because I figured if God could go to all the trouble He did to share all those letters in the Bible with us, I could do something similar for my friends. And I could share uninterrupted thoughts and updates that I could focus on and write down in my own way. Of course, I enjoyed phone calls. But, back then, they could add up to a significant extra cost. And the conversations sort of interfered with my style of communication.
So, I used pen and paper. And some wacky rectangular things called “envelopes.” I know it sounds like crazy talk. But I wrote out each individual word, by hand, using cursive code. And, if I DO say so myself (and I DO), my handwriting is very fancy schmancy. That little blue, somewhat musical looking “Tony,” at the bottom of my message and the top of my website, is actually my signature…my real one. No kidding. Fortunately, my friends were able to decipher the cursive code I sent them.
Anyway…
Back then I shared my stories from the road.
Sometimes I used greeting cards. And there were even times I sent audio messages on cassettes (ah yes, ancient communication but more reliable than smoke signals). And sometimes I’d include my motel session recordings of original songs to get feedback.
I didn’t really get a lot of mail in return. But the writer in me needed to write. So I did.
Very often I’d visit a place and then send out letters, with pictures, to friends. Just wanted to let them know I was thinking of them even as I enjoyed experiences without them. Such a goofy dude.
I’m gonna share a short verse I wrote, on one of my short trips to Colorado, before I got off the road and moved there. I think I was in Durango at the time. I’m not sure. But I can see the San Juans as I re-read…
Mountain Thoughts
With my rambling heart able to spread its wings
And soar in its homeland…
With my eager eyes able to soak in all the splendor
Of my mountain landing…
With my dream all around me and the peace and happiness
That accompany it…
My thoughts still go out to my good friends.
My thoughts go out to you. © Tony Funderburk October 14, 1987
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