The Art of Letter Writing

The art of letter writing is vanishing from the scene. Our culture desires instant gratification. We write in under 149 characters, jot off texts, and send emails that contain shortened spellings and little or no punctuation. I remember the days of walking to the mailbox to find a letter or two to be savored. They contained news, a bit of gossip, and often words of wisdom and encouragement.  I imaged the writers sitting at their tables with a cup of hot tea and writing the things that sat upon their hearts to be shared.  Sometimes the message carried brought tears, because of some sadness the sender had to endure.  Sometimes laughter poured out as the writer told a funny story about a child or grandchild.  

Letters endure.  In them you see the hand of the person who wrote it.  My grandmother's firm bold lines reflected her bold personality.  My sister's slanted, small letters reflected her soft and gentle personality. My mother's steady, clear, and neat letters mirrored her strength of character.  I can take one of the letters and  be carried back in time. I can remember the moment in a meaningful way.  One day, I had my children read some of my grandmother's letters, and I asked them what they learned about their great-grandmother by reading them. Each one said, "She loved Jesus, and she wanted you to study the Bible and be sure to go to Sunday school."  

Sometimes jealousy, anger, or frustration showed themselves, but we are are all sinners and have things we have to work though.  Letters are often more honest.  Letters have a sweetness that transcends time.  My grandchildren will never meet my mother in person, but they can know her from the letters she left behind.  

When was the last time you wrote a letter?  It might bless someone generations from now.