Recently, I read about several ongoing projects in the UK, each of which with the intention of reviving and promoting the writing of letters. In one of those events, the attendees were asked who they would write a letter to, whether the person was living or dead.
I understand the suggestion of including someone who is dead because the act of writing a letter to someone no longer with us can be incredibly cathartic. But, of course, writing to someone who is very much alive is far more meaningful — to the recipient. As those of us who write letters knows, it’s a splendid feeling after writing and sending off a letter.
My response to the question — for people no longer with us, I’d write to:
- The man who, decades ago, got out of his car and came up to me asking if I was okay or needed anything when he saw me visibly crying after walking out of the animal hospital (after I had our little dog put to sleep).
- Ms. Viens who taught my Literature and my Art class in junior high for noticing and encouraging my writing and my art.
What about you? Who would you write a letter to if you could?
Here is a post from someone, besides me, who also writes about The Importance of Writing Letters.
Reading a letter is like reading a small chapter of a persons life story written especially for you.
Erin Kron
If you enjoyed this why not share it with a friend or post about it on social media. Thank you for reading and sharing your time with me. — Diane
One person I would want to write to is my mother’s brother’s wife, or aunt by marriage. She died of multiple sclerosis when I was two and I never really got to know her. Another one would be a childhood friend who died just after graduating college. She died in a freak car accident in 1992. Getting the phone call that she died still seems like yesterday. I still keep in touch with her older sister.
HAH! I am most definitely in the “good intentions but terribly slack” basket.
And yet…many years ago I was a very good, by which i mean “diligent” letter-writer.
It probably stemmed from being taught to write what we called “bread-and-butter” letters; the “Dear Granny, thank you so much for the…” kind of letter. And then, when I was almost a teen ager, I somehow found myself with several pen friends. Ooh! The thrill of coming home for lunch to find something with foreign stamps beside my plate!
Yes, the computer and its curse of speed is often cited as the “problem, ” but I confess it’s a lack of drive on my part. I am too easily pulled in several directions!
And, since we’ve moved house, I am flat-out finding homes for things and wishing I could be more ruthless!
I loved writing to both my godmothers. They have both passed away and I would give anything to pop letters in the mail to them, anticipating their pleasure on receiving them. They both steadfastly kept in touch as I moved from the U.K. to Texas, Alberta and British Columbia, bringing me news from home. I pick up the prettiest cards at the charity shop to send notes to friends. I intend them to be surprise pick me ups on an otherwise routine day. I know I always enjoy finding similar notes in my mailbox. Keep up the good work, it is a simple way to add joy and beauty to the world and we can all do with more.