It's one of those things that is becoming completely lost in the modern world.
We strive to keep up with the times, to make contacting someone an immediate thing, and while that is all great in a way, I think that in our eagerness to do so, we're losing an art that is intimate and so personal.
I haven't written an actual letter, like pen to paper letter, in years.
And I'm not going to completely blame the technology we have today, I mean, I wrote letters back and forth with my grandmothers back in South Africa, but I slacked on the writing too, truth be told.
But there was such a calmness that came with the letter writing. I was able to put my thoughts to paper, share a story, vent or laugh or ask a question.
I looked forward to receiving the return letter, matter of fact, walking to the mailbox was more exciting than it's been in forever. Nowadays all I get is junk mail or bills.
Knowing that someone took the time to sit down and write you a note, is a feeling like no other. It takes a real effort to do it whereas with an email, it's almost impersonal isn't it?
So as my hubby is away, I have decided that I'm going to get back to letter writing. While the kids sit down to read every day, I will be pulling out my Letter Basket and jotting a note to a family member, or a friend.
It doesn't have to be a super long letter, even just a small note will suffice, and I know they'll appreciate it, especially my grandmas. Time to sharpen up my Portuguese again and work on my penmanship which has suffered with all this online typing. Blech!
But I'm excited to get back into writing. It will be fun filling up my writing basket with pretty paper, envelopes, pretty stamps etc.
I did talk about letter writing back in 2010 when I did my Postcard Exchange.
I think the biggest fear for me, or rather, sadness, is thinking that when my Nicholas and Jasmine are older, they will not have a stack of letters written by a family member or a friend.
How sad is that?
Anyway, I wanted to once again thank you all for listening to me vent, offering wonderful words of advice, and reminding me that I WILL be ok and I WILL make it through.
I'm feeling a lot better today :)
On this day:
In 2006: Remember When?
In 2007: Good Morning from Lawton, Oklahoma
In 2008:
In 2009: Chiquita Smoothies
In 2010: Unafraid by Karen Goodman
In 2011: 31 Days of Prayer for my Husband #2
8 comments:
Glad you are feeling better today Sandra.
Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady
So nice to see you are feeling better today.
Such a good idea to get back to the letter writing, everyone enjoys getting something in the mail.
I remember pen pals when I was in grade school, it was fun even if they were assigned by teacher and felt a bit like school work.
Have a fun weekend doing things that will be nice reports to put in your letters to grandma.
xo
I would love to have a pen pal. Our oldest daughter is pen paling with her classmate that moved across the country. Shoot me an email if you would like my address anitaphilipps@yahoo.com
have the kids write to their dad while he is gone (if he can receive mail). Imagine his excitement in getting a letter during mail call, and their excitement if he is able to return a letter. ;-)
P.S. Excellent "summer school" project too.
In 7th grade I became penpals with a girl through a TEEN magazine pair up. When we were adults we met and gave each other back all the letters we'd saved. What an amazing diary from our high school and college years! I miss real mail too. I know your relatives will love to receive handwritten letters from you!
I found love letters my dad wrote to my Mom while they were dating...they were married 58.years...i will cherish these letters forever!!
Great post! When my hubby was in Afghanistan he made it a point to write each of us a letter so we would have as a memory of him being away. Hope you have a good letter-writing week!!
I agree with everything you said! There is nothing like getting a letter in the mail and the knowledge that a person has sat down and put pen to paper for you is a gift in itself!! I have lived in Australia for 3 years and all my family in are New Zealand and occasionally I will send a letter but not often enough. You have inspired me to put pen to paper and make someones day more enjoyable for the fact of finding a letter in their letterbox :)
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