Creative Ways to Use Your Loved One’s Handwriting

By: Allison Gilbert

This photo highlights such an innovative idea – using a loved one’s handwriting to decorate a kitchen wall. In this picture, a cherished recipe takes center stage. 

Handwriting is such a personal and intimate tether to our loved ones. Whenever I see notes written by my mother or father, I feel an extra surge of connection. Here are two additional ideas for keeping family and friends close by harnessing the power of their own words:

Home decor

Frame handwriting that appears on nearly any document (think car title or passport) and enjoy it as a piece of art. Doing so not only gives you the chance to sort through these items, it provides terrific conversation starters over family dinners.

Hidden meanings

What does your loved one’s handwriting reveal? Handwriting expert Ruth Brayer, founder of Brayer Handwriting International, examined a letter my father wrote me decades ago. Ruth is a court-qualified handwriting expert who reviews patterns in handwriting to determine a writer’s behavioral and emotional profile. Ruth’s analysis provided numerous observations about my dad: he was “decisive,” “independent,” and had a “take charge” personality. He was “creative,” “driven,” and a “fast-thinker.” My dad was a “non-conformist,” saw the “big picture,” and had “strong emotions.” These insights filled me with joy and confirmed what I already knew about my father. For individuals who were very young when they lost a loved one, I imagine her observations could be exceptionally revelatory.

If you’ve developed creative ways to use your loved one’s handwriting, we would love to hear your ideas on the For Grief community Facebook page!

Allison Gilbert is the author of numerous books, including the much-anticipated, forthcoming biography of Hearst newspaper columnist Elsie Robinson, to be published by Seal Press, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, in 2022. Her latest book, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, reveals creative ways to remember family and friends we never want to forget.

To mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Allison is executive producer of two film projects in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum: a documentary called, "Reporting 9/11 and Why It Still Matters,” and a 20-part series, "Women Journalists of 9/11: Their Stories.” Featured journalists include Tom Brokaw, Savannah Guthrie, the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman, NPR’s Linda Wertheimer, and 60 Minutes' correspondent and anchor Scott Pelley, and many others.

Please take a moment to follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She’s everywhere as “agilbertwriter."