The Art of Writing Letters

We went to Port Angeles on Thursday and my sister and I went through a big box of old family letters from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. It got me thinking about how differently we communicate today. Back then, writing letters was no big deal. That’s how families communicated with each other. Birthday cards, thank you notes, holiday cards of all sorts were just so routine. The mail was something everyone looked forward to getting. There was fun stuff in the mail, for heaven’s sake!

There was a letter that my mother wrote to my father and my sisters and me while she was away in Ireland after her father had a heart attack. It was 19 pages! 5 x 7 stationary. Nine full sheets. It was great!

Now, it’s all junk mail. The occasional card or thank you note but even those are going by the wayside. Of course, sending letters costs much more, now. And it’s s-l-o-o-o-w. We don’t have the time for the art of letter writing. I mean, writing, as in handwriting. So the art of writing letters is a thing of the past.

Well, I submit that it doesn’t have to be. In this age of the internet, why not start writing letters via a personal blog? Sure, the letters wouldn’t be handwritten but they’d still be meaningful and family members would stay in touch. That’s the crux of it – we don’t stay in touch. Maybe a phone call now and then or an email with a couple of pictures attached. I’m totally happy with phone calls and emails; don’t get me wrong. But there’s a level of communication that’s just missing, that way.

Think about it. A blog can be a private, family message board. I’d send a “letter” telling all the news about Jack and me and maybe post a picture or two. I’d probably ask some questions about what the grandkids are up to and tell about our plans for the next few days or weeks. Then I’d post it.

Hopefully, somebody would reply with a “letter” about the comings and goings of that particular branch of the family….swimming lessons, spelling bees, sports activities, bumps and bruises from playing too hard. What the weather is like. Pictures of your garden, the kids, your trips, the new paint job in the kitchen, whatever.

How the pets are doing. Happy Birthday messages. Anniversary messages. Whatever. Hopefully, more than one person would post letters, too.

There could also be “letter blogs” between friends. Especially far away friends. Yep, I like that idea.

Something to consider…