I recently read a quote that went something like this:
"Letters are the next best thing to showing up personally at someone's door".
The other day when I opened my mailbox I had this sweet invitation from a very special young lady that has surprised me numerous times with something in my mailbox.
She is young enough to be my daughter, but wise enough to understand how special a little something in the mail is to us old folks! (Thank you, Raimie!)
Upon opening her invitation I suddenly remembered a New Years Resolution I made back in January that this year I was going to write one letter a week to someone special to me. I think I did great for about two months and then unfortunately I let the busyness of life get in my way and that was the end of my letter writing.
So guess what I did today?
Nope, I didn't hardly touch the million to-do things on my list for this week.
I sat down at my desk and made a list of every single person I want to send a note to.
I started pulling out scrapbook paper, circle punches, tape runners, ink, ribbon and all kinds of other scrap pieces of crafting stuff.
And I got busy.
As I worked I thought about the bundle of letters and cards I have packed away for safekeeping that my husband and I sent back and forth to each other 33 years ago.
I thought about the phone call from my Mom a couple days ago telling me about the hand written letter she received from my grown son. (She's not the first person to tell me they got a letter from him.)
I thought about the huge box of cards and letters that were sent to me 10 years ago when I had Breast Cancer. I treasure those cards like you would not believe.
I thought about my elderly Aunt that I'm named after... the Aunt that in 52 years of my life has NEVER forgotten to send me a birthday card. Until this year. She is very elderly now and not able for much. I missed her birthday card more than you can even imagine.
I remembered the large manilla envelope I got in the mail for my birthday a couple years ago from my sister. I opened it and out fell about 10 birthday cards. Cards that she had purchased every year for my birthday, wrote a sweet note, signed... and forgotten to send (they had been sitting in the drawer of her desk)!!! I love that memory!
It really hit me today how important letters, cards and little packages mean to the person that opens their mailbox. I want to do better about hanging on to that old tradition.
So, tell me. Do you still write letters and send to friends and family?
Does your heart go pitter patter when you open your mailbox and find a hand written letter?
Do you feel like I do that letter writing is almost a lost art?
In two days I leave for New Mexico to spend almost a month with my folks.
Guess what I plan to do with part of my time? (Smile!)
Loved this post. Your cards look so sweet and cheery. I want to do better about writing too!
ReplyDeleteLove your cards you made! Gave me an idea for all my leftover scrapbook papers, stickers, etc.
ReplyDeleteI have my children write letters every Friday, usually to grandparents. They also have several other pen pals they write to on a regular basis. Guess I should get in on the letter writing too!
Hey Angela! I think that is awesome... when we homeschooled, I had our kids do that too. It has carried over to their adult hood. I'm amazed at how not many children today know how to write a letter. Hugs to you! - Dori -
DeleteJust today I wrote a note, along with a birthday card for my sister in law. My daughter wrote thank you cards to her Grandma and Aunt. Yes, it is a lost art. For the most part Facebook and texting is the way to go, it seems. I do that too. Have a wonderful time with your parents in New Mexico Dori. Kathleen in Az
ReplyDeleteHi Kathleen, I had a birthday recently and although it was really awesome getting all the Facebook birthday greetings, I missed the getting of actual birthday cards. I do use Facebook and texting but I hope that I never allow it to replace the simple act of a "real" card or letter. It is awesome that there are still people like you that send a little note in the mail. - Dori -
DeleteHi again Dori, forgot to mention that I have letters & cards from the 70s & 80s. Even from high school. Keep them in a box and once in awhile I reread them. Special memories of my younger years. How romantic to keep your letters from your husband<3
DeleteA few years ago, after my mom died, I was feeling really sad. A read an article about a man who was down and out and someone told him that he should do something kind for someone else. What he did was start writing letters, positive letters to those in his life. He set a goal to write one a day for a year. That reminded me of my mom and how she used to always say, "You can't make someone else feel good without getting a little happiness on yourself." I thought she would like it if I started doing this. So far in three years, I have never written a later a day, but I have each year written over 100 letters and one year over 200. It is amazing how people respond. Such an easy thing to do and it really makes a difference to others. :) Happy letter writing to you! And enjoy every second with your mom and dad! kbender@esu7.org
ReplyDeleteThat is SO awesome. I love to think of writing that many letters in a year. I also love what you said that the best way to help ourselves is to help others. I have reminded myself of that in tough times. Thank you for the reminder. - Dori -
DeleteI love your stamps and cards, Dori! Yours are so nice. This is something I have been wanting to learn to do. Will have to research this and see how to do it. I think it is wonderful to receive a card or letter from someone. Enjoy spending time with your family!
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Emily
Aren't your cards wonderful! I think this will be a great goal for the new year. I do send cards, but have gotten out of the habit of writing more than a few words on them. I will have to step it up now. So glad you gave me the nudge! Continued blessings to you and yours...
ReplyDeleteYes, I write letters and in fact just received one from a far-away friend on Monday...with 2 teabags in it from a favorite place we used to go to for lunch together! Since most people don't write letters anymore one thing I do is to print out the e-mail when they have any "newsy" thing in it...in fact that's what I did when our son went to college...printed out the e-mails from him! I now need to figure out how to print out the text messages!
ReplyDeleteMelissa - isn't that the sweetest thing... 2 teabags in the mail. It is the little things like that that are SO special. Sometimes I think, "That was so sweet. Why didn't I think of that?" :-) - Dori -
DeleteOh, Dori, you read my mind! A friend and I were just talking about this yesterday--how we treasure letters and cards from our grandmas who passed on long ago. My daughter and I live on opposite ends of the state now, and while I text, email, and call her often, I haven't spent much time writing letters. That will change today! :-) Thank you for the beautiful reminder.
ReplyDeleteHi Dori, I love getting a letter or card in the mail. I just recently wrote a new blog friend a letter. She wrote back and said it was so precious and rare to receive a letter in the mail. She loved it. My sister and I send hand writing letters to each other monthly. I look forward to them. I love this post and the cards you created. Wow enjoy your visit in New Mexico. I would love to visit there one day.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I think it is wonderful how your reach out to other bloggers. My grand-girls still talk about the little drawings you sent them to color. Very special! - Dori -
DeleteAw thank you Dori...I will have to send them some more to color. I love reaching out to others.
DeleteEveryone just needs a little encouragement to make it... ~ Teresa
Thank you for sharing Dori. I enjoy stopping by your site as well as your daughter's from time to time. I'm curious to know how you combatted your breast cancer. I was recently diagnosed with an aggressive kind. Second opinion is scheduled in Nashville, next week. Our youngest is 6mos and still nursing. Praying for guidance and strength from the Lord. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGenevieve, I was going to send you a private email and I'm not able to respond to your comment that way. Please email me personally with your email address and I'll write to you about my treatment. My email is: redfeedsack@gmail.com. Good luck to you, warm greetings and hugs go your way. - Dori -
DeleteI think cards and letters are a treasure, my day has been brightened so much by finding something fun in the mailbox, especially if it is unexpected! I love your cards, maybe you should do a tutorial?
ReplyDeleteKathy - I did actually kind of think about that yesterday. Maybe at some point I'll do a little tutorial! :-)
DeleteThese are the cutest cards I've ever seen! Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post.. felt like a kindred spirit sitting here telling me the very thing I love to do and don't do as often as I'd like or should.
ReplyDeleteYou're cards, thoughts, time - well-spent is beautiful. It shows..
Thank you for this gentle reminder. Yes, I do write a few letters. I used to write a letter every Sunday, but that has gone by the wayside (too bad), but I still have a few people that I write letters to. It is almost a lost art. Your cards are wonderful.
ReplyDelete, how sweet! Loved this post! Happy mail is a double sided thing - happy to send and happy to receive. I learned it partly from my mom who was so good at sending letters all the time I was growing up (before email) and I always thought it was cool. She encouraged me to have several penpals and to love the art of card making (don't get me started on my love affair with all things paperie and the stationary aisle). I just love the timeless feel and the patience of knowing it may take a but for your item to reach its destination. We are all about instant gratification now so I like to cultivate a habit that slows things down a little to focus on good things like keeping in touch, saying "hello, you inspire me so I want to take time to send you something physical and lasting to bring you an ounce (one stamp) of joy!"
ReplyDeleteMuch love and hopes that one day we can craft at the same table! Raimie Lu xoxoxoxo
Raimie, I love you. Have I told you that before? Yes, we are so completely into instant gratification. I love the thought of doing something that encourages us to slow down and actually put our hearts into it. And yes, I am the same about all things paper. I love paper. Even more than I love fabric and that's pretty hard to beat! And I do hope we can craft at the same table sometime. I could learn a whole lot from you. Hugs to you and your darling littles. - Dori -
DeleteYou are absolutely right! I am going to send a card today too! Thank you for the post!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right! Your parents must be so looking forward to your visit.
ReplyDeleteYour cards are beautiful Dori - what a personal touch with all your handmade details! Exquisite! Loved looking at your beautiful cows - especially that fine looking McKinley and his reflection in that pond - a gorgeous picture - that is one you should make into a canvas like we talked about! We do a lot of rotational grazing on our farm also - trying to stretch the pasture as long as possible. Your temporary fence looks like it will do the trick. I hope your mom has recovered well from her hip surgery. I'm certain she felt blessed and comforted by your presence there. Always enjoy checking in! God Bless, Cathy
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