Now I'm well-aware that it's just about completely redundant in today's world, but wondered if there's anyone here who enjoys engaging in written correspondence with people or has thought about doing so? My limited cursive abilities and godawful print aside, I've often thought about doing so but never went through with it. In part, because the only people I'd consider asking are online friends [to reiterate the redundancy theme.] Still, the act of sitting down to write a letter as opposed to a comment, PM, wallpost or email really appeals to me so I haven't completely discarded it yet. Made all the worse when I see films that really emphasize this sort of activity, 'cause considering how seldom it's done these days, watching it's like....'writing porn.'
In my case, I am not really good writing skills and stuff so I don't like to write that much. But I must admit, I have pretty good handwriting so I don't mind that much...
It's a lost art! I have a couple of shoeboxes full of old letters (mostly from the eighties), they are treasures to me (which I nevertheless wisely leave alone). Writing a letter is such a deliberate and painstaking act, each word is a struggle to get right and there's no autocorrect or cut and paste (unless you literally cut and paste!). I have actually been thinking of starting it again, I love writing on a beautiful piece of paper and working to get it right. I'm sure it would be a shock to anyone who receives it! Oh and I love the stamps, especially those from far-off lands that I once visited (to make the friends who wrote to me, of course!). There's just something about having in front of you a piece of paper with someone's handwriting on it...
I don't do hand-written letters, but I have been known to write extended letters, print them, and mail them from LibreOffice.
I have letters from my late aunt that are wonderful. It is indeed becoming a lost art... Although not exactly the same thing as writing by hand, I like to send digital postcards to a few people in my life: they include one of my photos (usually landscape or garden snapshot) on the front and a digitally hand-written note on the back. The app I use prints and snail-mails the postcard, AND it lets you choose your own stamp! So I kinda feel like I'm engaging in a personal process somewhat akin to letter writing, even though it's digital.
I have one letter from my late father that I read a few days after his funeral, it was amazing how carefully he explained all the names and relationships in the family that I had so recently met there...it's as if he knew this would be necessary...
That's true, though I'd say being more conscientious of one's words is part of the appeal. Besides, if one was in the regular habit of writing them, it'd probably be less of a struggle than trying to start outright. And I'd agree about stamps, except that, as far as ones from the U.S. go, they aren't as well- or creatively-made as they were even a few decades ago, I think. Nonetheless, I can only imagine what's like to write one out, send it, wait for a reply and then read it. In general, I usually prefer to have something physical before me rather than just information on a computer. About your father's letter, if you don't mind my asking, I presume you weren't familiar with those people beforehand?
Yes, my father was from Mexico and he divorced my mother when I was 2. She returned to Canada (she's Canadian) with me and my sister and he more or less stayed behind. So the family that I met there, I hardly knew, but what was weird is that they knew me from when I was a baby. That letter kind of summed it all up for me and explained his relationships with them and them with each other. I wish I had re-read it before going to the funeral (he had sent it a few years earlier) but I guess it wouldn't have had the same impact...
I love writing and receiving written letters. It's as if a part of the person is there with you. I have some old letters from family members long deceased and I feel their presence each time I look at one.
My Grandma's sister (my great aunt) used to write letters to her sister quite frequently. I miss listening to grandma read the letters to me and mom. It usually was just daily happenings but it made you feel more connected.
