舊信封 An Old Envelope

整理房間時，我從堆積的書籍和雜物中發現了一個微微泛黃的舊信封。信封的邊角微微捲起，紙張已失去了昔日的光滑，封口處的膠水因歲月侵蝕而形成細密的裂紋。它躺在書桌抽屜的角落裡，孤單地等待著被重新發現。

While tidying up my room, I found a slightly yellowed old envelope hidden among stacks of books and random objects. Its edges were gently curled, the paper had lost its former smoothness, and the glue at its flap had cracked finely from the passing years. It lay forgotten in a corner of my desk drawer, patiently waiting to be rediscovered.

我將它拿在手中端詳，輕輕翻轉著，確認它從未被使用過——沒有郵戳，也沒有任何姓名或地址的筆跡，只有淡淡的藍色橫格紋路，透著一種屬於舊時光的簡樸與寧靜。

Holding it carefully, I turned it over in my hands, confirming that it had never been used—no postmark, no names or addresses written on it, only faint blue-lined patterns exuding a simplicity and quietness characteristic of bygone times.

這個看似普通的舊信封，卻勾起我對過去日子的種種回憶。曾經，我也有過許多這樣的信封，封裝著親筆書寫的信件，帶著或期待或忐忑的心情寄送出去，再懷著隱隱的雀躍等待著遠方回信的到來。

This seemingly ordinary envelope stirred up countless memories of past days. There was a time when I had many such envelopes, each filled with handwritten letters carrying hopes or anxieties. Each one sent out brought with it a subtle excitement as I anticipated the return of a letter from afar.

那時，寫信本身就是一場儀式。挑選信紙、緩緩地寫下心中的話語、字跡透過紙張留下的細微印痕、墨水乾透時淡淡的氣味……寫好之後，再小心翼翼地折疊整齊，裝入信封。每一次寄出信件時，都有一種近似祈禱般的莊重感：我不知道這封信會經歷多少顛簸、多少轉運，最終才能抵達對方的手中，成為一個微小卻珍貴的驚喜。

Back then, letter writing was a solemn ritual. Choosing stationery, slowly penning down my thoughts, feeling the gentle indentations left by the pen, the faint scent of ink drying… after carefully folding the paper and slipping it into the envelope, each dispatch felt almost like a prayer. I never knew how many bumps and detours the letter would endure before finally reaching its destination, becoming a small yet precious surprise.

而收信更是一種獨特的情感體驗。拆封前那一瞬間的期待與緊張，輕輕撕開封口時紙張發出的微弱響聲，拆閱信件時迫不及待卻又小心翼翼的心情，這一切彷彿都凝聚在了這個看似平凡的信封之中。

Receiving letters, too, was a unique emotional experience. The eager anticipation and slight nervousness just before opening, the quiet rustle as I gently tore open the seal, the hurried yet cautious unfolding—every moment seemed encapsulated within this modest envelope.

如今，隨著即時通訊的便利與迅速，手寫信件早已成為稀少而昂貴的奢侈品。但這個舊信封的存在，卻讓我想起了那些值得我們細細回味的從前時光：緩慢、寧靜、耐心，以及深深的情感聯結。

Today, instant communication has turned handwritten letters into rare, expensive luxuries. Yet the presence of this old envelope reminds me of times worth cherishing slowly—quiet, patient moments filled with meaningful connections.

或許，我們的生活早已無法回到從前，但至少在這個小小的信封裡，舊日的溫柔與耐心依然保存完好。我輕輕地將它放回抽屜，心想，有一天，或許會再寫一封信，寄給未來的自己，以提醒自己，這個世界上，仍有一些值得珍惜的、緩慢而動人的東西。

Perhaps we can no longer fully return to those simpler days, but within this small envelope, the tenderness and patience of the past remain intact. I gently placed it back into the drawer, thinking that someday, I might write another letter to my future self, a gentle reminder that some slow, beautiful things in this world remain truly precious.