It is written

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I’ve spent the morning writing letters – real letters, hand-written letters. And I am convinced that nothing is better for the soul. Lord Byron has a great quote: “Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company.” That man is speaking my language.

There is something so special, so personal, about the exchange that happens when people take the time to hand-write a note, stamp and address it, and send it physically across the miles.

When I get real mail, it feels like Christmas morning.

When I write real mail, my heart overflows.

Someday, when I’m an old woman and my great-grandchildren find my boxes of letters, they will read words written to me when I was 6-years old. And 12-years old. And in college. And in love. And heartbroken, and confused, and happy.

And should anyone come across a note that I have written and sent out, they will know a piece of my heart that cannot be conveyed in emails, or even in face-to-face conversations – because the part of me that exists in written words may be just a sliver of who I am, but it’s a sliver that is very close to my soul.

Plus, I’m really good at writing in cursive.

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9 Comments

  1. Shannon on January 14, 2009 at 11:33 AM

    I loooove hand written letters, too. I don’t sit down to write them often enough. In fact, my class was canceled today and I think I will spend that time writing some letters :)

    Combining solitude with good company…I love that.

  2. Hush and Such on January 14, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    Letter writing is a truly fading art form, so kudos! Those who are gifted with words, like yourself, demonstrate love and generosity when they take the time to share that gift with someone else. I need to write some too… :)

  3. Anna Marie Seymour on January 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM

    i design stationery for people like you! i love your thoughts about writing letters. there is quote on my website and biz card that says, “the word that is heard perishes, but the letter that is written remains” it’s :)

  4. Anna Marie Seymour on January 14, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    …it’s a chinese proverb.
    (somehow that cut off of my first comment.)

  5. Greta on January 14, 2009 at 5:27 PM

    You DO have beautiful cursive. :) Blessed is the one that gets a letter from AP.

  6. annie on January 14, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    I still love sending and receiving real mail, too.

  7. kylajoyful on January 15, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    Love this. I’m trying a little harder to write letters lately, but still stink at it. You’re right though, hand written letters change the soul somehow. Glad you’re back. See you soon?

  8. Annie Peterson on January 15, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    I LOVE getting stuff in the mail and writing to other people. The only thing is, my handwriting is usually pretty bad, so I’m happy to hear that you’re good at cursive. :)

  9. Anonymous on January 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM

    That’s a good quote.

    Vance

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