Letters were once thought to be precious and essential, even a gracious art form and a chronicle of history. Whole portions of a person’s day was devoted to composing letters following specific structures and social standards of the era; solicitous greetings, dutiful reports, careful revelations of opinion or sentiment, closing with respectful sincerity, highest regard, and the flourish of one’s name. For centuries, the world wide wrote letters.
My parent’s were letter writers, cherished pages handwritten in unique, yet so familiar scripts. Ink fading. Thin paper in envelopes, both aging. Words received that are more valuable today than when they were initially retrieved from a mailbox so many years ago.
As our preschool grandsons began those earliest literacy routines of recognizing and writing their own names, I began to send them mail. As I had hoped, they soon anticipate mail delivery, asking if there was “any mail for me?”. I know their interest won’t last long. All manner of phones and tablets already have a place on their menu of communication tools and land mail will one day disappear from our lives. For now, they experience the pleasure of seeing their name on an envelope, breaking the seal to discover what news might be within, knowing this was lovingly prepared just for them.
Grateful today for…
~ parents who modeled literacy and valued the joy of story in every form.
~ long distance relationships nurtured by the tradition of letters.
~ the circumstances that provided literacy and education across our generations.
~ the bundles of ribbon tied letters, dated decades ago.
~ my nation’s provision of vast systems of communication.
~ the letters in the mail, for messages of greeting, news, and affection.
~ for Epistles signed, “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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Oh, I so love this. I am a letter writer at 67 years old. The habit and art form were ingrained in me from my early days. I am saddened that we are losing such a beautiful form of communication and of journaling one's days. But, maybe...there are some who will keep writing. I journal still on paper as well as on this keyboard.
ReplyDeleteI love you sidebar write-up of you also. I am a weaver and spinner and find that I, too, weave words as well as yarn. Glad you are my neighbor at Sandra's.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Happy to hear from you today! I feel certain, Linda, that there are those who welcome with surprise and delight the rare written letter arriving in their box. We'll continue the tradition for those we love!
DeleteI'm trying really hard to write more letters. I know blessed I've been to receive handwritten notes and cards in the mail. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm planning to write a letter to someone this year just because I've missed doing it.
ReplyDeleteThe effort and the time you give in writing a letter is a sign of love and service for me. :)
I love this! I really want to hand write more letters. What a special thing for you to write your grandsons! I know they love it. I need to carve out time to write and then maybe I'd do it. :) Blessings to you, Lisa. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I am so glad I was your neighbor at Holley's place today. My parents live over 500 miles away and my mom sends letters at least twice a month to my oldest son. He loves receiving them (and sometimes she puts extra goodies inside. ;-) ) I do agree it's becoming a lost art but I still treasure those handwritten notes in the mail. Such a gift. Thank you for sharing.
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