When Joyce reached out this month to see whether James Murray would analyze her handwriting, it wasn’t her first time.

It was her third.

Murry, a former educator, popular D91 school social worker, family therapist and a founding father of the Community Center Clubhouse, also analyzes handwriting. He was trained through the International Graphoanalysis Institute and took forensic looks at handwriting, which some believe is an expression of personality.

Murray ran the Review’s popular “Your Writing Says” column for more than 30 years. People would mail handwriting samples to the Review’s former office on Madison to be analyzed by the expert. The handwritten letter would be published in full, followed by a thoughtful, careful note that would reveal the writer’s traits, such as whether person learned quickly, has many interests, or are detail oriented, stubborn, egocentric or risk-takers. 

In a 2003 interview, he acknowledged that he “thought we could run it for six months.” Instead, the column was a hit. It became a Review staple, alongside Jackie Schulz’s Talk of the Town, and for a few years, a weekly horoscope.

Murray took an encouraging tone with each letter. For example, when an 18-year-old Joyce sent her sample in 1993, he took note of her round handwriting style.

“You are flexible and yielding, preferring compromise to argument but regarding your family you are possessive and jealous and will fight when their security is threatened,” he said. 

Twenty years later, in 2013, Joyce, so impressed with the analysis, thought it might be interesting to revisit the expert with a letter. The Review is not fully identifying her to conform with past practice of Murray’s column. This time, Murray said, “your writing is also smaller and this tells me you are cautious, serious, modest, accurate and good at detail work.”

Joyce wrote to the Review this month to see if Murray would be able to take a look at her writing sample now that another decade has passed. 

Murray dusted off his graphological skills to take yet another third at her handwriting. 

Here’s his account:

Dear Joyce,

Thanks for sending me a sample of your writing again after all these years. I wrote my Handwriting Analysis Column in the Forest Park Review but I have been retired for quite a few years so I am pretty rusty, but I’ll do my best.

Honestly, I don’t remember analyzing your writing, so I can’t compare your current writing with what it was like when you were 18 or 39, but I can tell you a little bit about what it says about you today.

Joyce, your writing has a large middle zone as compared with your upper and lower strokes. It is also very legible and the letters are disconnected rather than being connected or cursive. Your script is also upright rather than slanting to the right or left.

The fact that your writing is so legible tells me that you are sincere, careful to detail, clear thinking, patient, straightforward, and have a liking for honest dealings with others. You also have a strong desire for clear communication and understanding.

Because you are so honest and open you can be somewhat naive and gullible (you think everyone else is as honest as you are). You are opinionated and like having your own way.

Your i dots are directly over the stem so I know you are realistic, accurate, balanced and positive. You are cautious but are still able to go forward but without much dynamic thrust, showing marked conscientiousness and attention to detail.  You are an orderly and careful person.

You writing is neat and simplified. This means you are mature, practical, optimistic, thoughtful, and have the mental power to weigh and judge situations, which tells me you possess real wisdom.

Joyce, you are a proud and independent person. You are clearheaded so you always show control and restraint. Some may perceive you as being rigid, but you are a very dependable person.

How does this compare with your previous analysis’? I hope you find it to be accurate, encouraging, and helpful.

Much good luck and happiness to you.