Sunday, March 16, 2014

Letters in the Mail

A few weeks ago I received a letter from one of  my mother's oldest friends. My mother has been gone for almost six years, but her friend, now in her late eighties, still writes to me. I could not even read the letter first as it was bringing back so many memories, but as I finally read it, it brought me so much joy.                                                                                                                Liisa is a woman of God. She prays. She believes that God answers her prayers. In her letter she mentions that she has felt the need to pray for me. She really had no idea what  is going on in my life, but she knew that she needed to pray for me. I was touched.
I had to write Liisa back. I had to write her a good letter, after all, she had written me FOUR pages! I even looked for pretty paper at the store, but then decided that Liisa wouldn't care about the paper, she would care that I would write.

So I wrote about my life. I wrote about where my daughter is and what she is doing. I wrote about  my school and my students. I wrote on green paper, because green makes me happy. I am hoping that Liisa will be happy when she receives my letter. I don't know if I will still have a chance to see Liisa, but I can write with her. (Liisa lives in Finland!)


When is the last time that you wrote a letter? A letter that had to be mailed via post office?




27 comments:

  1. I really love your slice. She wouldn't care about the paper... she would care that I would write. Handwritten notes that come through the mail are the best. I have gotten several this winter from friends who knew I was struggling. I keep them by my bedside and reread them sometimes before going to sleep.Thank you for taking the time to write about letters in the mail and for reminding me how important they are.

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    1. Friends who understand and care--could we ask for more?

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  2. Jaana, I write letters on paper all the time. I LOVE writing letters. I'm very 19th century! My best friend from high school and I still correspond regularly on paper. We only use e-mail in case of "emergencies" and that is infrequently. Like you, one of my other correspondents is an older woman (my aunt) who does not have email. She and I write to one another too. In my humble opinion, nothing matches the beauty of seeing someone's handwriting, choice of stationery, or a few dried lavender buds thrown in for good measure. I've been thinking about this as a blog topic as well, so thank you for reminding me!

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    1. Jeanne, I hope that you will write about this! What you have with your best friend is special. What a great post that would make!

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  3. I absolutely love getting and giving handwritten letters, although I don't generally get or give them out anymore. Sure, I'll write a thank you card and hand it to someone personally. Same goes for birthday cards. But mailing a letter, that's something I don't do often. I really should. Thanks for the reminder!

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  4. What a treasure to receive. I haven't written more than a postcard in years and years. Hmmm.

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    1. Postcards are small letters; I love getting them too!

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  5. I actually still do write letters, actually for some of the reasons that came out in your post. I love paper and I also like the keepsakeness of letters. Thanks for sharing the pictures, Jaana! On a different note, are you in Ann Arbor? You just commented on my blog. Larkin and I are here unitl tomorrow.

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    1. Melanie, after meeting you both, I went to the bookstore and bought some springy note cards to send!

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  6. I still write one friend, & she writes me, too, & when my grandson (& son & daughter-in-law) moved a few years ago, I began sending him a postcard every week. We also 'text', but this is a way for me to let him know I love him, & think of him every day. He doesn't say much about them, but has the stack on his dresser. I still have a few letters from a grandmother who wrote me often, newsy letters that still remind me of that special person in my life. Thanks for this special post, Jaana. Glad you received this special letter!

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    1. Linda, that is so special! I have a box (or maybe two) full of letters that different family members have written through the years. I treasure them.

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  7. It is a shame that letter writing is not a prevalent as it once was. Letters could be stored in a box and brought out to look at, reread, and remember. A person's handwriting is as unique as the person who wrote the letter. Somehow, a email is not the same thing.

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  8. That's so tender! It's nice that she took the time to write to you and that you wrote back. I love getting "real" letters. I can't think of the last time I wrote an actual letter. I do emails, of course, and little "notes" or cards via snail mail, but not full-blown letter. When my husband and I dated long-distance (US/China), we used to send long, lovey-dovey letters back and forth and I absolutely loved it! There is something special about getting a handwritten letter that is just lacking in an email.

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    1. You are right Laura, the feeling in a "real" letter is different than in e-mail.

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  9. It's been a while....but I am doing some cards tonight...it's been a while and they are long overdue. Thank you for the reminder of what is so important - staying in touch.

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    1. Cards a re a good thing! I save the special ones that I get!

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  10. It's been awhile - and your post makes me realize what I'm missing out on.

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  11. I LOVE your post today. I am not good about writing letters but know that I appreciate the "snail mail" when I get it. I do try to write cards to teachers I support or thank you cards to colleagues who open up their classrooms to us for observation, but a good ol' letter? I haven't done that in a long while. Think I'll change that. Thank you.

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  12. Yes! My mom only writes or types letters. She doesn't have email, and doesn't want to learn. I just wrote to her last week. Let me make a shout out to my friends, who created www.lettrs.com, where you can write letters, cards, etc. and save them forever!

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    1. I will definitely be checking that website! Thank you.

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  13. My sister-in-law NEVER uses a computer for anything. She writes letters, though, so we correspond. She makes the most ordinary things funny. It is a treat to get these letters.
    Since her cancer diagnosis, my mom has been getting cards and notes from friends and family near and far. So meaningful!

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  14. A lovely post ! I just received a long letter from an old friend of my mom and my mom has been gone almost 6 years now, It is lovely to receive letters and I do enjoy r\writing letters as well. We miss so much when we email and phone. What will future generations have to learn about us without letters!

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  15. What an interesting question you pose. I don't have an answer.

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