Letter Writing--a Lost Art? (Let's hope not!)

I spend a fair amount of time writing: journaling, book projects, blogging...but I am hard pressed to think of the time I actually sat down and penned a letter to someone. Can you think of that time?  Not a message on social media, an email or a text, but an honest to goodness pen to paper.  It can be very rewarding to send and receive an actual letter.  I wish I would write more often to friends and family, but it's just so easy to take the quick and easy way.  Think about the time you sent a letter, wasn't it gratifying and did it make you think..."Gee I should do this more often?"  

There are so many choices on how we communicate today.  Depending on what needs to be said, it may be something as simple as a quick text.  I'm from the generation that if you wanted to talk to someone it was as simple as picking up the phone...that was attached to the wall, of course.  We never had to worry if it was a good time or not...we just called. If they couldn't talk they would let you know, not having to "let it go to Voice Mail"  Granted, it is nice to have options for getting a message to someone.  Yet, sometimes I get nostalgic for a simpler way of communicating. That leads me to the nostalgic art of letter writing. It's sad that writing a letter seems to be "old fashioned" , but writing allows us to express yourselves fully.  A letter also provides the flexibility that the recipient can read at their leisure and take the time to soak in the contents.

I wish I was better about writing letters,  Once I sit down and do it I do find a certain sense of satisfaction and a connection to the recipient.  Several years ago I included in my New Year's Resolutions to write a letter to a family member or friend at least once a month.  A good goal indeed and I started out pretty well, but it fizzled out by the time the tulips arose. I would like to try to do a better job with this goal, but perhaps not strict quotas on how often or how many. 

After my Mom passed, among the photographs and other mementoes were packets of letters she had saved from my grandmother filled with news about things going on back at the farm in upstate New York. It was fun to read what all my cousins were up to as kids. Also, were several love letters that Mom had received from Dad while they were dating.  You just can't have a more valuable treasure.

 I was recently inspired on the topic of letter writing by my reading of the book: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans.  The book was a gift to me by my sister-in-law who thought I would enjoy it. (Thanks Christy!)  I did enjoy the book very much, but it had a slow start in capturing my interest. At first the main character seems like a bitter old woman who was quick to complain about many seemingly innocuous details in her life.  In some ways it prompted me to hold a mirror up to my own life; I hope I'm not becoming a bitter old woman. Yet, reading this book would make many people take a second look at their own lives and relationships and perhaps find a way to create better relationships.  The foundation of good relationships is good communications.

This book is structured as a compilation of letters written by and to the main character: Sybil Van Antwerp, a lawyer and divorcee who communicates with many of the people in her life via letters.  Some of them are emails, but still constructed in such a way as to be classified a letter. Also many of her letters were quite formal.  As the story continues, you begin to realize that some of her indignant attitudes are a mask for her own vulnerabilities.  One of the reviews of the book called it a "...masterpiece in human frailty."  I don't want to say too much more about the book to guard giving it all away.  It is a good read and an inspiration in many facets of one's relationships. 

So there it is...I really would like to improve communications with my family and friends and hopefully with an occasional letter or two.  I have bins full of fancy stationery, cards and stickers that  I REALLY should put more to use!  Keep on Writing!    Julie Etta Smith