PLEASE, MR. POSTMAN

Please, Mr. Postman

Letter writing in the 21st century / / Pen Pals

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I love writing and receiving letters. Emails are ok but there is just something special about a letter that you can hold in your hand while reading. It, in my opinion, is more personal.

When my cousins and I were preteens, our parents couldn’t afford all the phone calls we wanted to make to each other. Funny how we don’t think about that now, but our phone calls were only about five cents for a three-minute call. Unfortunately, my cousins and I never thought about the cost, just our “gab sessions”. When our parents began to complain, we opted for letter writing, especially since I still had a few cousins who lived in other states. Calling those still living in Europe was never an issue. There was no choice but to write.

Here we are now in the 21st Century and letter writing has become almost obscure. Most everyone wants to email. It’s easier and cheaper and so much faster. But to me, it’s also so much less personal.

The thrill of pulling a personal envelope from your mailbox is gone. Also gone is the thrill of looking at the return address to learn who has written to you. There is no more anticipation as you tear open an envelope to read the latest news from an old friend or relative.

I have a few friends who live several thousands of miles away from where I call home. We share the same opinion on letter writing and it’s always an exciting day for me when I receive their letters.

There are several people whom I know only through letters. For instance, my friend in Hawaii. My dad had been a stagehand / carpenter. Back in the late 50s, he and his crew worked on a show about Hawaii. As the show worked its way through the summer months, the stagehands had gotten to know many of the entertainers and their families. My dad remarked that he had a daughter the same age as one of the dancers. She asked for my name and address. That was 55 years ago and, although we have never met, we are still corresponding.

In the mail last week. I received a small package. I hadn’t ordered anything so there was no reason for a package to arrive. The return address had only the address, no name. It was from Arkansas. Inside the box was a pleasant and wonderful surprise with the sweetest note: “I saw this in a craft show and thought of you.” It was from a woman I never met but befriended online. We were in the same online health club – one where you can share your experiences with aches, pains, illness, and whatever ails you. Those in the club can empathize with you, support you, and often give sound advice on what specialist you might need to see for whatever you may need. The gift was a small Christmas tree made from a large pinecone. It may not be Christmas yet, but that gift sits atop my bookcase.

Too many years ago, I joined a writing club. It was based in Illinois. I have been there but due to my love of writing, became friendly with the woman who started it. We still write to each other twice a month, often leaning on each other for whatever reason we feel is getting a bit much for one person to shoulder on her own.

I have friends in Alaska, California, and New York, and many other states, and every one of us enjoys our snail-mail letters.

These people either are or have become friends who now own a piece of my heart, as good friends often do.

There was a time I read, “A friend is a person who knows all about you but loves you anyway.” These women are my friends. If the need arose, would they be here to lend a hand or a shoulder? Unfortunately, no, not in the physical sense. They live much too far away but, in my heart, I know I could call any one of them, and each would gladly and willingly give me time to vent, grieve, rant, or whatever I may need to do.

We are here for each other.

That’s why we so completely enjoy our letter writing. When we receive that anticipated letter in the mail, it’s like getting that special hug from the person who sent it.

The letters offer comfort, understanding, camaraderie, and most of all friendship.

After all, isn’t that what friends do?

You can keep your email, your texting, google chat, and snap chat. Give me a good, old-fashioned letter anytime.

So, as the song by The Marvelettes says:

Please, Mr. Postman, deliver de letter, de sooner, de better.