Write me a letter why don’t you

Several years ago I was looking through my junior high and high school papers, and in them I found little folded notes. I opened them up and began reading them with the eyes of an adult. Memories poured in and a big smile grew on my face.

Back in junior high in Saudi Arabia, my friends and I would write notes to each other on pieces of paper and pass it along, either when we saw one another or we would stick the note in each other’s lockers through the little slits. Several of the notes were shared among us, sort of how we send emails now to groups of people. Each person would read and catch up on what was happening or being said, and then add their own little piece of information (usually gossip or annoyance with someone at school).

After we all left Saudi Arabia at the end of 9th grade and dispersed in several directions, we kept in touch by writing letters to each other. I still have many of them. I even cherish them more than I do old emails still sitting in my inbox.

There’s something so personal about a friend taking the time out of their day to sit and write their thoughts down on an actual piece of paper, using their distinct handwriting just to send to you.

We’ve become so impatient and want information now and quickly that we’re losing (or perhaps we’ve lost?) the art of writing letters. I miss it terribly myself.

We’re so bungled up in our smartphones, emails, apps, tablets, and who knows what else gadgets that we don’t look up anymore to ponder and really think what we would like to say and write to a friend using pen and paper.

Everything has to be instantaneous and quick, otherwise you are considered thoughtless and uncaring.

I’m trying to remedy that by writing each friend a letter. I may write it by hand or type it up on a computer (I type faster than I hand write), then send it via snail mail. Whether they write me back using the same method is up to them, but it’s something I want to pick up again.

Sometimes I wish I had a functioning typewriter to even do it somewhat old school.

I don’t know when I’ll be writing each letter and I don’t have a revolving schedule. Good writing is not something that can be forced through dates neatly scribbled in a planner, but something we should take our time with and be thoughtful about. After all, we’re writing to those we cherish the most.

To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart.  ~ Phyllis Theroux