One of the contest questions in last week’s “giveaway” was . . .
“When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper; put it in an envelope; put a stamp on it and mailed it?”
I must admit I asked this question with fingers crossed that many of you would say, “all the time”.
I shudder to think that email may completely replace the hand-written letter someday. The encouraging news is that the majority of people – who answered the question – do actually write letters and love receiving them in return!
Some of you communicate by snail mail quite often; others include hand-written notes in your Christmas cards; still others write letters on paper for elderly relatives who are not computer savvy, but most of you seem to agree there’s nothing like a hand-written note!
I have a cherished stack of letters and cards from family members that are no longer with us. Their notes are absolute treasures and part of their legacy. Many were written to me during special times – like when my children were born. There are also family recipes written on assorted scraps of paper or recipe cards – some have precious “hints” added in the margins! My favorites are the sweet, newsy, everyday kind of letters – they’re just brimming with tales of the past. Now and then, I come across some of them, unintentionally, and a glimpse of the handwriting brings back a wave of wonderful memories. Reading the messages is a chance to “visit” with loved ones, once again.
Some would argue that an email can be printed and kept, but it seems a poor substitute for handwriting on a pretty card, or scented stationery, or even plain old yellow lined paper!
I worry a little about today’s kids. They don’t have to spell because there’s spell check; they don’t have to multiply or divide because there are calculators; they don’t even have to “talk” because there is texting and instant messaging.
My hope is that they’ll experience written communication often enough to realize how special it is – so much more warm and fuzzy than a keyboard! Otherwise, I fear that handwritten letters may someday become as quaint as the inkwell.
Yep, you’re right. It’s gonna happen. Handwritten notes are gonna be gone when our generation is in the ground. It’s inevitable. But, lets face it, we are showing our age when we worry about spell check and calculators. When you look at an email or any written material with a misspelled word, don’t YOU think…boy, too lazy to spell check? I bet you do. And I don’t care if kids need the calculator as long as they know how to count change back. But lets face it. They don’t even need that because at McDonalds the cash register tells them how much the change should be. And what kid can’t identify money denominations!?! OMG, I just checked and I misspelled “misspelled”! Thank God for ABC check!
PS: I am right. Generations to come will send hand written notes and make thank you calls as long as they are taught by their parents, who were taught by their parents, to do so. I was proud this Christmas when I overheard my daughter telling her kids to sit down and write a thank you note to Auntie Fran for the $50 she gave them for Christmas. Why, they asked? Can’t we just call? She repeated to them the words she had heard long ago about proper etiquette and “if Auntie Fran can take the time to lovingly give you a gift, then you can take the time to jot a note of thanks. Better get out the dictionary.”
I done good!
You sure did, Carol!!! 🙂
And because of email, it is going to be hard to keep documents and such history wise