The Letter

How nice it used to be to receive a letter in the mail. Written communication from friends, long distance relatives, over seas acquaintances and neighbours. Invitations, announcements, news and special events all came in the mail and it was lovely.  Not only was the content anticipated but the look of the stamp and the envelope and paper it was written on as well were delightful to observe.

Merriam Webster describes a letter as a direct or personal written or printed formal or informal message addressed to a person or organization that is usually dated and sealed in an envelope. It is stamped, addressed with a recipients address and the letter writers address (return) and delivered to the post office. The postmaster stamps it with a post mark and from then it is delivered to the recipient.

The letter writer purchases a stamp to be applied to the letter. But an interesting bit of information is that up until the 1840s, the recipient paid for the letter to be delivered not the letter writer.

Written communication sent through the mail has been forgotten. I guess because people don’t hand write anymore, young people don’t learn cursive as the word processor does it all and spell checks too. Writing a letter takes time, energy and not to mention the price of postage. See, at one point in time, in certain locations mail was only delivered by hand and now with the advantage of the computer, written communication can be delivered digitally - notice the emergence of digital greeting cards, online newsletters, Christmas card and letters of update – gone, gone- gone are the posted letters.

We all like to receive a letter in the mail because someone has gone to the trouble of thinking about us. It takes time to compose and effort to post. From the writer’s perspective, it forces you to slow down a bit with the opportunity to think and reflect.

Receiving a letter in the mail is exciting, thinking about the movie “You’ve got mail”. Both potential romantic partners are anxious to see if the mail has come.

Who doesn’t like to run to the mailbox in anticipation of something new, interesting, news of the outside world just for you.

It’s fun to receive a letter. It’s something that brings good news, love letters and cash. It’s nice to hear from someone. To find out what they are up to, how things have been going. What a nice gift to receive and to look at that pen ink and paper – instead of a computer screen.

Everything that a good book does, a letter in the mail can do: convey warmth, excitement, anticipation, expectation, humour, concern, knowledge and educate but only shorter and more personally directed.

Out of nostalgia, I decided to write a letter to a friend, and it was so well received, I decided to keep up the trend and get back to writing letters. I found there were a few benefits as well. I got to practice my cursive, use my nice writing paper I had saved, had time to put my thoughts and words together and took the opportunity to say things I might have thought and felt but was uncomfortable in saying on the phone or in person. Feelings are easier to express when you have the time to think about the way you want to say it and the meaning behind your words. It’s a chance to express your dreams and future plans and also your opportunity to vent without being interrupted – yes, I’m talking about you hubby!

I remember the days when I would write letters to my grandparents, to thank them for gifts or update them on my childhood accomplishments and I would receive letters back sometimes an enclosure a photo, a gift, a treat or money, a post card from travel. And always it made me smile, made my day. I would like to say this is a senior’s thing, but I have come to conclusion that everyone no matter what age loves to receive mail.

Go ahead and write a letter to someone and make their day.

If you would like to join my The Bistro Post club, to receive a personal letter from me, along with some added visuals, cards and gifts in the mail to brighten your day every month, contact me at the link below.