I remember in grade school getting to write Pen Pals at another school far away. Our Teacher taught us how to write a letter. What an opportunity. How fortunate was I? How sad this is no longer taught. Do you remember the "rules?" Date... Salutation...Body... Closing... Signature.
In Middle School, I was notorious for note writing. Once, a Teacher took one of my notes, read it out loud to my classmates, exposing my crush, and embarrassing me nearly to death.
That did not stop me.
I was just more careful.. Writing (sometimes in code or with initials) passing the notes, and reading those from friends. It became an art itself. I still have many silly and precious notes from my Bestie. We have had a wonderful times reading over them so many years later... a good keep.
It tickles me to see Deliver De Letter De Sooner De Better... Or Sealed with a Kiss to Make it Stick.
Think of yesterday, when we did not have instant gratification of email, texting, and social media. Even the phone calls. Why when I was in college I was lucky to get to talk to my Mom once a week. On a Dorm phone shared with 3 other girls. Nearly impossible to talk to a Bestie privately. To pour our hearts out, we had to depend on snail mail... knowing it would take three days to get to someone and three days to get a return letter. But so worth it. Seeing that familiar handwriting, and knowing there is wisdom, humor and love within the letter!
I recently challenge myself to get back into writing snail mail. I decided to send 52 letters in 52 weeks. It's going quite well. Actually, it is going splendid. I did not realize the smiles it would deliver, yet alone the letters I would receive back. Many friends have been motivated to join me in bringing this almost lost art back. Do you remember the joy you would get seeing a letter to you in the mailbox? Much like Christmas cards, another dying practice (please don't get me started about these Christmas email group messages). I really want to hear from loved ones and I will take what I can get, but, I so prefer a personal letter of card. I love the pictures and I enjoy the Christmas newsletters.
With some rather time consuming (and emotional) derailments that have hit, I am a tad behind but am not going to let this stop me. I am so back on it and writing my little fingers off. I love hunting down stationary (not an easy task! I am actually having to make some). I have been selecting friends that I need to get in touch with as well as those I do talk to on a regular basis. I am finding that telling someone how much I appreciate them and how special they have been to me, is very gratifying. How often we forget to tell those we love, thank you. This has been a wonderful wya for me to express just that.
Yep. Letter writing.
The Lost Art has found it's way back to me. Good old fashion hand written letters from my heart♥
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