It doesn’t take much to turn my head when it comes to beautiful paper. The day I found myself drooling over hand made journals I truly didn’t need was the day I decided my grandparents definitely DID need them. Who wouldn’t want to fill a journal for their earnest granddaughter in their spare time?

I chose a handsome but simple leather journal for my grandpa and this lovely Kozo Arts journal for my grandmother. I found them last summer after the passing of my grandmother. Turns out they weren’t the journaling type. My grandpa didn’t write a word, and my grandmother made one entry. But it’s lovely and her loops of ink warm me up.

If you have ever been called ‘My Dearest Wonderful’ by your grandmother, then you know what it is to experience the sweetest feelings of love. I had the great fortune of enjoying many years of bonafide friendship with my grandmother. She spoke lovingly about her grandmother, and she infused her with a sense of self worth while growing up.

Before I knew my grandparents wouldn’t be filling books for me, I dedicated my first hand made journal to grandma as well. I was so thrilled to have actually made something both useful and beautiful, I had to give it to someone who would make it more precious.

The idea behind this journal was more of an exchange. I would write in it, send it to her and she would write back. The exchange only went one way though. I wrote several entries, mailed it, then picked it up on my next visit. I only did that a couple times before my new little family eventually became neighbors with she and grandpa. No need for journals when I could come over for coffee instead.

I’m finally at an age where I look forward to being a grandmother one day. I hope I can fill the petite but mighty shoes that came before me, offering guidance, humor, wisdom, friendship.

I think I’ll do one thing differently though. If asked to share my inner workings I’ll write and write and write.