Letters - A Personal Touch

In a world where technology, the Internet and email rule, many people have allowed their letter-writing skills to fall by the wayside. I find this sad because I remember when it was such a treat to reach into the mailbox and pull out a letter from a friend or family member and then to read what they've been up to and how they were doing. I really miss getting good letters but I refuse to accept that letter writing is completely dead!

Letters do something that quick social media posts often don't do. They provide a very personal and intimate communication between the sender and the receiver, one that has depth and personality. If you think about it, a good letter is basically a small essay with an introduction, a main focus, details and a closure. If you think about the topics you want to cover before you start the letter you'll write something more personal and friendly, and you'll likely not forget to include something you really wanted to share. By planning out your letter, I believe it will carry the energy of who you are and what you want to share far better than something dashed off in a rush.

Sending out letters is a great way to create a regular contact with distant friends and family members. A holiday or New Year's letter to family and friends is an opportunity to help those you care about catch up on your life and the lives of your family members: who graduated, who got married, when the new grandbaby arrived, as well as letting that person know you're thinking of them at a time when many people feel loneliest. You could truly make someone's holiday better with a cheery and informative letter.

If you have located someone you haven't seen in a very long time, like an old schoolmate, or a friend from your youth, sending a letter is a good way to break the ice all over again and let them know you are thinking of them even after all this time. A good reconnection letter can lead to a phone call and perhaps a renewed friendship.

I hope you still find time to write a letter here and there. There's just something wonderful about the tangible nature of a letter in your hand vs. an email on a screen. This isn't to say that electronic mail can't do something similar. I believe it can if only people would treat writing their emails to friends and families like they would writing a good old-fashioned letter.