Saturday, January 28, 2012

Would You Write 24 Letters in February?

When is the last time you got a letter from someone?  In the mail system of the country you live in?

A post in another blog, Depression Cookies, made me think about this.

I don't mean a letter from a business, or from the government, or from your elected representative, or from someone soliciting a contribution from you?  No, I mean a real live letter, "Dear AM.......Love (or Sincerely, or Yours Truly), someone in your life", from, oh...

A friend?
A relative?
A loved one?

For me, I think the last time this may have happened was in July of 2003.  An aunt, who was 77 at the time, corresponded with me for many years.  She lived hundreds of miles away.  We talked occasionally on the phone, but letters filled the gap.  I can guess the approximate date, because she died that summer.

(No, actually that is not true.   And the occasion where it happened is worth another blog post.  Nevertheless, it's been years.)

Of course, like so many others, I do my corresponding now by email or by Facebook message.  Texting? Not yet, because my phone doesn't have a keyboard, and I find it awkward.  But as soon as I get a different phone, I'll probably be texting away.  Although, there is something strange to me about using a phone for...well, nonverbal communication.

All of these methods are wonderful, and fast, and get the job done.  But letters, ah, a letter.  How many emails or text messages have you lingered over, saved in a box, taken out and reread months or years later?

A website, A Month of Letters, wants to reintroduce us to the pleasure. Quoting from the site:

"I have a simple challenge for you.
  1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
  2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.
All you are committing to is to mail 24 items. Why 24? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 24 items. You might develop a correspondence that extends beyond the month. You might enjoy going to the mail box again."

Will I do it?  At this point, no-even in my peak letter writing days (in college, believe it or not) I don't think I mailed something every day!  I can even imagine the writer's cramp-ouch!  But I just may sit down and write a letter....or two....or three.

I do think, however, that the challenge is very worthwhile, and am doing my part to publicize it on...hmmm, a blog.  But writing a bunch of letters to publicize it wouldn't work quite the same, would it?

Would you join such a challenge?

3 comments:

  1. There is nothing quite like getting a letter in the post. Like you I wrote the most letters during my university days to my grandmother who was hundreds of kilometres away.
    I support your publicising of this movement - we really are talking about a lost art. I'm off to write a list of people I want to send handwritten notes to in Feb.
    Cheers, Caylie

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  2. Looking forward to seeing what we both gain from this lovely experience! ;-)

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  3. Sadly I don't think I could write 24 letters or even have 24 people who'd care to receive them. Maybe some that are older generation. I really do like the idea behind it and I think making an effort to do a few would be worthwhile. My daughter (16) rolls her eyes and receiving handwritten notes from relatives but will text or "facebook" in a heartbeat.

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