I Wrote a Letter...

Some Things Never Change... 

 

                        ...and then again some things do --all the time.

 

For instance, the way we communicate has changed. 

 

 When is the last time any one of us has received a hand written personal letter sent through the Post Office?

 

  I am talking about a good three page letter written on all sides (and in the margins as my grandmother did) imparting antidotes of family activities and social events along with the opinions of the writer, sometimes with a political or moral judgment either blatantly or sublimely implied without fear of court action and 'without prejudice'.  

 

There were  days when 'friendly' letters written in pencil were accepted and expected in the "pre Bic" days of pens.  Letters written with the traditional pen and ink were usually those of the 'business' type .

 

 

The envelope upon receipt would be just a little bit crinkled and worn from the long and arduous journey from its source...often having travelled a week or more from its origin to destination.

 

There were no Postal Codes. In fact, depending upon the recipient's character and length of stay in the community, one often only had to write the name of the town and province to assure correct delivery.

 

The letter would traditionally be written on white paper as would the envelope itself.   No little extra stickers or cartoons would be placed on the envelope other than the stamp which would usually only be a reflection of the reining monarch's image. 

 

There was quite a stir when my sister took a match and burned a little hole at one corner of the envelope and wrote "Hot news inside" at the end of a drawn arrow.  Often post office workers would not deliver letters if they suspected anything other than paper was slipped into the envelope such as a small picture or magazine article. 

 

Greeting cards were allowed to be delivered for a lower cost providing the card was unsealed. 

 

Now, of course, we have email, texting, ecards, and social media.  There is lots to be said of the instantaneous transmission of knowledge and consequent power that gives to society.  

 

I do think , however, that society has also lost out on the the value that a handwritten letter signifies.  A handwritten letter requires the writer to consciously set aside a moment of their day to actually think about the recipient  (no mass emails) with regards to their interests and inclinations, or perhaps give a more direct answer to some  previous query thus enhancing communication and ultimate understanding.  More care in choosing the correct words (no text completion)as well as the time and concentration on actual letter formation and word spelling would help the whole process to be rewarding and appreciated. 

 

I see a handwritten letter as a gift of time and thought from the sender.  I see it as a moment in time that someone has taken out of their busy lives to actually sit down and have me in mind during the fifteen minutes or so to take pen  in hand on chosen paper all the while actually concentrating on proper word choice and grammar, and then  forming with care and flair their thoughts that they have chosen to share with me. 

 

 

Yes some things have changed...and then again some haven't.

 

 

 

 

The annual  fall migration of geese hasn't changed and hopefully never will.

 

 

 

One time offer:  Write your address in the comments and I will send YOU a handwritten three page letter.  I have paper and pen and stamps at the ready.

 

 I will not publish your address.