Send a Hug, Send a Letter

For a while I've been meaning to write a blog about the beauty of letters and so you can imagine my astonishment when I logged onto the BBC news magazine website and was met with this article: "Mourning the Loss of the Written Word". I'm distraught. Why has everyone stopped writing to each other? I am in no way denying the usefulness and pure brilliance of modern technology with Email and BBM etc which I've already written about in a number of blogs, but you just cannot beat a good, old fashioned, hand written letter.

For as long as I've known how to write, birthdays and Christmases have always been followed by the task of writing everyone a thank you letter for their gifts (which of course requires having to remember who gave you what - not an easy feat). And visits to friends houses have always been followed by a quick thank you for what will no doubt have been a lovely time.  Of course most of these visits and occasions will include texts and emails of thanks as well but a letter shows that you're making that much more of an effort; you've taken the time to chose a card and it is hand written and personal. Emails and texts can be dashed off in a second while waiting for a bus or in line at the supermarket whereas a letter requires time and consideration. It won't get lost in cyberspace but will, if you're anything like me, remain cooped up in a box somewhere for years and years. Eventually it will be dug out and read and I will sit reminiscing and recalling the gift or dinner party - or that's how I envision my future discoveries!

There are also the letters for the sake of letters. When I arrived in UConn last August I was met with a lovely hand written letter from Nick (my boyfriend) and they've been coming ever since. Cheesy I know but when was the last time you wrote a letter? I dare you to sit down and write one to your best friend, whoever that may be. There is nothing quite as relaxing as putting your thoughts down on paper and the excitement of placing it in a red letter box (well if you're in England - mail boxes here aren't quite as cool!) and imagining it making its journey across the country, or world, to the recipient.


The picture at the top of this blog was an advertising campaign by the Australian Postal Service and I think it perfectly highlights what I'm trying to get at. Send a hug. Send a letter.