So I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with Wes Anderson's RUSHMORE and the awesomeness that is Max Fischer, but perhaps you are familiar with his campaign in the movie to save Latin.
And I'm really not a snob about it, letters are letters. I love getting mail. I love the curly love notes of congratulations from our dear Lola (see below...yes, she's made of that much win). But I also love the long emails of "good things" that I get from my author friends at the Fourteenery.
The other day on Twitter, Sherman Alexie said, "As people once fell in love with one another while reading/writing letters so they fall in love by writing/reading emails." This is exactly right. It's not the mode, it's the words. We still fall in love through letters. We still fall in love through the written word. I never want people to give up writing letters. Because when you write a personal letter, you are giving someone a piece of yourself.
So my kindness for this week is to write letters. To encourage you to write letters. Sometimes we get so focused on our book-writing that we forget the power of a letter. But this weekend, I received a letter from a friend that moved me so much, I reread it half a dozen times throughout the day. And it made me sit down and not only write back, but also write to another friend. SAVE LETTERS. It's a kindness to everyone.
I've never been much of a card sender, or even a rememberer of "special" days, but man I used to write some long letters for no reason at all. I remember once sending a seven page letter filled front to back to my friend Kelly in the sixth grade--on college ruled paper! I don't even know if she ever finished it, but there always seemed to be so much to share. Perhaps because I've never been much of a phone talker. When my husband and I first started dating, it started out as a long distance relationship and he used to write me a letter every day. Seriously, every single day I'd get a new letter. And though it's much better to be together, I miss those days. There's something so personal about a handwritten letter that you can't really get from an email. Your passion is contagious, Christa. It's time to bring the letter back.
ReplyDeleteAwww, you totally deserved a goody package. <3
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of handwritten cards and care packages. First, I think there is something magical in people's handwriting. Second, especially when loved ones are far away, it is my way of bridging the distance gap, of showing I care, that I'm thinking of them when I'm out and about and I see something I think they'll like or that reminds me of them. And I always hope these little surprise cards or care packages make their day a little brighter and make them feel loved.
The only reason I have/keep Facebook is for the weekly birthday email reminders. It takes only a second to wish someone a happy birthday and make them feel special.
Yes, I'm all for bringing letters and cards back. :)
Love you, girl. <3
When I was in high school some of my best friends lived in other towns, and it was the days before email and cell phones, so we'd write long letters to one another to keep connected. Getting mail was such a treat. Now, my email inbox is that same thing for me. You're so right, the written word is a special thing.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you. When my husband and I got together again after a 30 year gap, emails were how we fell in love again. And I even found 3 actual letters he had written to me as a teenager. There is nothing quite like it. A great reminder to write to my grandmother who doesn't even own a computer. Thanks :)
ReplyDelete"We still fall in love through the written word" Isn't that just perfect? I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but this year, it was my only one, to write more letters, to send more mail.
ReplyDelete