I remember when my friend Maya Stein told me about the typewriter she had while growing up. It sat  on a table always available and ready to get used.

That tradition she had in her childhood home, stayed with me and inspired me to do the same. It seemed liked such a novel idea, especially now as old typewriters have started to resurface, to not just have the typewriter as decoration, but a constant invitation for our daily words.

Determined to make this happen from day one at The Ledge I found a typewriter on ebay while at the rental. I did my best to find the right ribbon, which turned out is discontinued, so I had to wind it myself. I then placed it on the table in our living room with a fresh piece of white paper and nothing but the date and waited to see what happened.

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It wasn’t long before I started to hear the clacking of the keys. The first few pages were full of the girls just messing around getting to know this new machine that didn’t have (or so it seemed) a number one or an apostrophe. They spelled their names and typed individual letters over and over — some light, some so hard the letters pierced a hole in the paper. They hit the return key to watch the carriage move back and forth.

Once they had settled in, understood the ins and outs, the words started to come. They write about their day, what’s going on at the moment, what they like/dislike, their friends have even given it a go. Lately they even go a little deeper and share what’s in their heart — I love their willingness to be vulnerable with our family. I have really come to love the clacking of the keys. You never know what goodness you’re going to find there, what stories they’re going to share.

What I didn’t understand when Maya first told me about her typewriter, but am beginning to see, is just how much life it holds. It has become this delightful spot in our home where our thoughts are coming together to create this magical memoir of our life here at The Ledge.