The Declaration of Pen-Dependence

This is probably a bit odd for a website called “Buttontapper Press,” but I just learned (via today’s Goulet Communiqué) that the U.S. Department of Education dropped cursive writing as a requirement for the public school curriculum. This actually happened in 2011, and only a handful of schools have kept cursive learning requirements, which I suppose is inevitable as we all convert to writing primarily on computers, tablets and cell phones.

Still, it made me stop and think about how I always loved seeing my mother’s handwriting when I was little, and couldn’t wait to learn how to write “like the grown-ups.” Learning cursive was a thrill, and perfecting my penmanship (and willfully manipulating my handwriting) over the years was something I enjoyed. Even now, I do like to get offline and handwrite certain items, just because it feels right. Isn’t it sad that these little writerly thrills are disappearing?

So, I made a pact with myself to write something by hand every day. Even if it’s only a To Do list or a quick haiku.

Here’s my Declaration of Pen-Dependence (not in cursive, for better legibility):

I’ll post some of my handwritten snippets now and then, so we can all marvel at my atrocious script. Like I said, hopefully it will improve with dedication.

Any fellow handwriting devotees out there? When did you first learn how to write cursive, and do you still practice with your pens?

P.S. National Handwriting Day is coming up on January 23. Get your pens and paper ready!