Today, I walked by a filled meeting room and overheard someone say,  " I never open my paper mail any more."   It sounded like the group was discussing email banking and other electronic transactions.   Though I still pay my bills by snail mail, I recognize  the potential benefits of the latest phone and computer apps--I'm just not ready for it!    Email and facebook has reconnected families and opened communications lines that enable busy, overworked people to keep you posted on their latest activities.

 

 

 

What does concern me is the loss of the wonderful art of letterwriting.   Does anyone remember when love letters were saved and tied in ribbon?  What about those letters you received at camp or when you first went away to college?   The handwritten letter meant someone was really thinking about you and missed you.  The letter was even more special if the writing itself was beautiful or if the bold print of a child was accompanied by a colorful crayola picture!    Today, many of us still find old letters in boxes that are stored away in our sheds and closets from families and friends.   Somehow, opening a computer file just doesn't work quite the same when it comes to nostalgia and fond memories.

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Comments

I honestly believe that the likes of Facebook are diminishing the importance of the written word. I read a lot online these days and it's hard not to notice. Recently i applied for a small grant to add short inspiring quotes onto the back of envelopes by famous writers. I hope to generate enough interest to hopefully inspire people to write more often and post letters to their loved ones. It is far more personal and has the added value of something physically created with the human touch. Thank you for your insights.

While I agree with you that the loss of letters writing has created a loss creative and nostalgic way of communicating. We also must remember that the new ways of communicating have also generating creative and artistic communication. The poets of any and every generation will still be able to express themselves through the written word, pen and paper

I totally agree with you Sharon Green. I miss receiving a hand written letter. i remember the excitement i used to feel when i received a letter especially from someone i had a crush on or even my family.Once in a while i write poetry to my child and send it to him but he just calls back to say thank you.I wish he would write. Anyway emails don't feel the same but it still works.

Hand written letters are passe, I miss them a lot, what I think is that a hand written letter has a kind of emotional touch attached to it unlike an e-mail.

I agree with you. Just this week a young woman of 20 sent me a hand-written note to thank me for a book I sent her. I was so encouraged! I knew my small gift really meant something to her because of the extra time I knew it took her to get out the paper, pen, and stamp. I think it's a battle, though, that might be difficult to fight. Though I've tried for a long time to encourage my children to write, they are so much more eager to type or text. They've even set up their own blogs. I guess the best we can do, is continue writing those letters and notes ourselves and hope that the smiles they bring will encourage others to do the same.

Yeah, I've almost forgot how it's to receive or to write such letter. It's some pleasant melancholy. Thanks for this!

It is such a shame that people don't send hand-written letters anymore. Hand-written letters are a great way to tell someone you love them, or to show someone you care. The fact that someone bothered to put pen to paper and then add a stamp, and go to the post office and post it means that they are prepared to go the extra mile for you. I work in the dating niche and that is one way that particularly a guy can really get a girl to pay attention to him. Anyone can ignore an email, but a beautiful card or letter will get a persons attention every single time. Thanks for this informative post, great stuff! Best wishes, Dottie

yeah i agree there is some thing nice about getting a hand written letter through the post as long as it not a demand for money

I think handwritten letters still hold merit in this society. it shows an extra step of communication and bares a more personal touch.

There is a personal touch when letters are hand-written. People nowadays have lost touch with hand-written letters. Emails are fast but so superficial.

Unfortunately the art of handwriting letters is lost and will become a thing of the past. Many kids today can't even read cursive writing anymore because it is not in the curriculum. What is going to happen when they are in the workforce and and their boss writes them a note and they can't read it? I think if kids are taught cursive and how important a personal touch is then they will accept it and use it. Right now kids view writing letters and cursive as old fashioned and not up with the times.

I think handwritten letters still hold merit in this society. it shows an extra step of communication and bares a more personal touch.

I love the snap shot of the letter written by a child, that is about the only letters I get anymore, but man are they my favorite. Regards, Austin