When Bing Sent Me an Envo-Gram
My Dad, Bing, wrote me a heartfelt letter just after I started college at Auburn. I remember a big smile spreading across my face when I saw the yellow Envo-Gram delivered to my freshman dorm. I was seventeen and away from home for the first time. For my parents, I was the first kid to leave the nest. Hearing he was proud of me and wished me a great adventure sent me on my way. I listened and continued on that adventure while I was at Auburn..
An Envo-Gram is a unique and entertaining way he used to communicate because his handwriting is, well, not so great. Creating an Envo-Gram involves typing a letter on a computer, which results in printed carbon copies with perforated edges.
This communication was in many ways pretty advanced for the time.
I keep precious memorabilia like this letter and appreciate its message now more than ever. Now my kids leave “voids of chatter” as they graduate from school, get married, and even buy their own homes. I admit I want more noise, chaos, activities, and surprises that they brought. The following is the retyped letter below the image to make it easier to read —that’s ironic.
I love you, too, Dad.
An Envo-Gram carbon copy letter from my Dad, Bing, sent to me, dated September 13, 1987.
FROM:
Bing Johnson
Daddy Still In Training
Roswell, GA 30077-1184
MESSAGE AREA
September 13, 1987
It's a Sunday and Brett is at work. Mom is showing houses, and I am at work. Please forgive the "computerized" form of communication. I guess I am hopeless. Pretend that I have very precise, clear handwriting that is so good it looks like computer printing!!
I bought a dubbing cassette deck for the house yesterday at Radio Shack. I needed the ability to play my strange music to make noise around the house to fill the void your chatter so warmly provided!
I loved Auburn, and know you will, too! I'm amazed that such a large school has been able to create such a warm, small-campus atmosphere. And they have great first football games. Get my extra, extra large sweatshirt quick so I can wear it to Roswell games—a Roswell sweatshirt won't be so popular this year based on Friday's massacre, and I want to brag that my daughter is at Auburn and even got a scholarship!
Out of room. Enjoy yourself and have a great adventure! LOVE, DAD.
TO:
Stacy Johnson
Auburn University
Owen Hall - Dorm 310
Auburn, AL 36830
In peace and love, Stacy Joyfully 🦋
#HippieHeart #TameTheBeautifulChaos
