The lost art of letter writing is only lost if you let it be so.
If you prefer to sit in front of a screen, tap, tap, tapping out an email on a keyboard. If you think there is no one who would want to deal with trying to decipher your scrawl or words, then you are already well on your way to being part of the society who chooses technology over traditions.
The person who receives your handwritten note or lengthy letter is affected in so many ways. They are warmed by the effort you made. Thrilled to catch up with you through the words you have written. Appreciates the time you have taken to reach out to them, touching their heart, letting them know you care about them, letting them know you still matter in their lives.
The day the person, who is more like a sister to me than not, moved to a location a few hours away, I told myself we could chat online; and it isn’t that far by car, an easy drive. The reality soon showed its ugly head — It was no longer convenient for us to visit or see each other in person.
Within the first few months of her move, I kept a list of things I wanted to tell her when we got together next. When that would be, became the looming unanswered question.
I broke down and relied on technology, sending her a text that simply said, “Would you like to be my pen pal?”
A whooping (I am sure that sound was behind her answer) of “YES!” came the reply.
And so it began…
The thought of using impersonal foolscap didn’t set well with me. I went in search of some writing paper I knew was tucked away from another time in my life. The pen of choice, none other than the fountain pen I use to write the first draft of my books.
The list of things I must tell her became pages filled with anecdotes, crossed out words (remember there is no delete button), funny, sad, gossip, and the occasional stick person. There are times it’s weeks between the start and end of a letter, adding snippets as they arise or are thought of. These are pages and pages of one-sided conversations, writing the words as if I was sitting across the table from her. Occasionally, it is a note card sent to tell her, “I miss you my friend.”
On days the handwritten envelope shows up in our mailbox, my heart sings. The song one feels when you know the person who wrote to you took the time to let you know that they are thinking about you. She tells her garden is flourishing (or not), tidbits about her family, and like me when I write, the occasional grrr moment venting feelings you know will go no further.
We write when we can, we stay in touch, and every so often, we get to visit in person. We keep more than letter writing alive, we keep cursive writing alive, too.
For those of you who have read this, remember that not everyone sees what you are doing through your posts on social media. There are those who choose not to be drawn into that technology. If what you have read resonates with you, celebrate World Letter Writing Day.
Step 1. Dig out your old-fashioned address book.
Step 2. Sit down and write that dang letter!
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