Rediscovering the Lost Art of a Handwritten Letter
I recently received a beautifully handwritten letter from one of my favorite authors, Alexandra Stoddard. I have a collection of her many books, and I have enjoyed her writings for many years. I wrote her a handwritten letter along with a small gift for her 80th birthday. She thanked me with a lovely handwritten letter, while apologizing that it took her so long to thank me personally, but it was a joy to receive this letter that was handwritten with care and a heartfelt message.
In today's digital world, where instant messaging and emails dominate our communication landscape, the art of handwritten letters seems to have faded into obscurity.
There's a certain magic in receiving a handwritten letter. The anticipation as you carefully open the envelope, the faint scent of ink and paper, the personal touch of someone's handwriting—all contribute to an experience that transcends the digital realm. In a world inundated with fleeting digital messages, a handwritten letter stands out as a tangible expression of thought and care. Alexandra Stoddard has actually written about the joy of writing and receiving handwritten letters. She does not text, or email herself. Those are handled by her assistant. She insists on writing herself personally with hand selected stationary and pens. In her books, she encourages her readers to take enjoyment in the process of handwriting a letter, and about the joy and excitement the receiver will experience.
Beyond our words, a handwritten letter carries our personality, emotions, and sincerity. It's a form of communication that requires time, effort, and thoughtfulness, making it all the more meaningful in an age where convenience often overshadows real connection.
The process of writing a letter forces introspection and reflection...
Without the luxury of backspacing or deleting, or auto-correct, each word must be chosen deliberately, each sentence crafted with intention, requiring great patience and mindfulness. Many people are afraid to really put their true feelings in written form. We have libraries full of love letters and beautifully written letters from the past when letter writing was the norm.
Former President Jimmy Carter wrote a letter to his beloved Rosalynn Carter 75 years ago, which was read at Rosalynn Carter's memorial service. He wrote about loving and missing her during the time he was in the service. Signing the letter... "Goodbye, darling. Until tomorrow, Jimmy." How beautiful are these words and how wonderful that this letter was shared at Rosalynn's service.
Handwritten letters also serve as tangible mementos, preserving moments in time that can be revisited and cherished for years to come. Unlike digital messages that can be deleted or lost in the ether of cyberspace, handwritten letters endure as physical reminders of the bonds we share with others.
My Mom, who died many years ago, was a letter writer also. I saved almost every one of her handwritten letters and I have a book that is filled with letters that she wrote to me over the years. What a beautiful memory from her, that I can cherish and an amazing gift that she left for me.
A handwritten letter or note is a reminder that this is a real person with thoughts, feelings, and experiences worth sharing and remembering..
In a world that's constantly moving forward, sometimes the most meaningful gestures are those that take us back to simpler times.
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