I couldn’t remember the last time I had cleaned out my folders in that cabinet. The drawers were harder to close than my teenager’s sock drawer. It was time.

I decided to start with the folder that would take me the longest; figured it would be all down hill from there.

That folder was my journal; filled to the brim with scraps I had saved my entire life—poems, greeting cards, letters and notes that chronicled everything and everyone important to me at that particular time. It was, in fact, a lifetime of love and loss and celebration and thoughts all stuffed into a manila file folder that was slumped and worn. At the very least, I figured I would keep it all and replace the folder. That, in itself, would be progress.

I grabbed some coffee and my reading glasses (yup), plopped the folder on the kitchen table and began the lengthy process of reviewing every scrap inside. God forbid I would inadvertently throw away any small remembrance that I may not read again for 20-plus years.

I did not anticipate the result.

As I read every card, every note, every special article, letter or document, I was brought back to that moment in time. Events, moments and people I hadn’t thought about for so long—and some that I had—became instantaneously real. It was like they had happened just yesterday. Not only did I recount the times; I felt them too. The well-chosen words of battle and affection and significance were as real at that moment as they had been so many years before. It was like a time machine had been hidden in that droopy folder; one that gave special powers to all the words to deeply touch my heart and soul; brandish my smiles and elicit my tears.

The power of the written word, indeed, cannot be underestimated. The impact of writing meaningful words—and perhaps capturing them in a distinct handwriting or particular vernacular or sense of humor—truly transcends time. Clearly, those words were powerful enough for me to save for decades; the good, the bad and the ugly. It was all there to bring me back to important moments and twists and turns in the road. It made me feel whole and valued and blessed.

As our DDCC team continues to write stories, newsletters, advertisements, e-blasts, case studies, web content, social media posts and client company collateral for many of you, please trust that we are acutely aware of the impact it can bring. In fact, it’s that impact that gives our editorial department the pride and professionalism needed to reach your audiences and touch your customers. Thank you for the privilege of contributing a part to your company’s time machines. We can only hope our words will inspire you, your business, your employees and your customers to again feel the best of times; even after we have traveled many decades down the road together.