Preserving the Past
As a baby boomer who uses paper weekly engagement calendars, I loved Patty Dann’s Connections (“My Birthday Calendar,” January 14). I have an Excel spreadsheet of birthdays and anniversaries, which I add to each year to reflect new babies and newly married couples — and like Patty, retain the birth dates of those no longer with us. And the spreadsheet highlights the milestone events ending in 0 or 5. I think I will incorporate Patty’s ideas. In the end, photographs and memories are what we are left with!
Mark Seliber
Natick
I enjoyed Patty Dann’s story about her birthday calendar — especially since it was published on January 14th, my birthday! I have kept a similar calendar for several years, reminding me to send cards (electronic cards these days) to friends and relatives.
Barbara Bolding Merriman
Danvers
This was an especially enjoyable read for me (I mark every family event on my calendar with phases of the moon). I will read it I don’t know how many times more before relegating it to the recycle bin. Let’s see . . . waxing gibbous tonight.
Joelita Cleveland
Arlington
I too have a birthday book that I use faithfully, given to me by a dear college friend many years ago. On the sadder side, I also use it to keep track of when I have lost family and friends. It is a constant reminder of all those I hold dear. Paper and pen rule in my life — and I still read books in print!
Barbara Leary
Westford
Is it too late to start one at age 62? I am envious of the writer’s foresight!
Scott Christensen
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Each year on the weekend closest to the new year, the Globe Magazine prints a one-page calendar. I cut it out and put it on my desk. I have fond memories of the Globe calendar hanging in my Aunt Ro’s kitchen. This story brings me right back. Mary Olsen Danvers
Cellphone calendars are for immediate notations in MY life. Paper calendars are for OUR lives: me, my husband, my sons and their families, school events, grandparenting schedules, lunches with friends, and an amazing number of things that come up and events/appointments that need to be accessed by more than me. It is easy to reference and quick to edit. I’m happy to continue to use our family’s paper calendar and ignore generational labeling.
Diane Campbell
Brewster