Ready, Set, Write!

The day began as most do: coffee, school run, walk, shower, disgust at lack of wardrobe, the usual.

When I checked my mail midday, I did a jig. And I’m not Irish.

A handwritten envelope stared up at me. Handwritten. Addressed to me! Surely some words of love and friendship were waiting to jump out! I wondered who had written while I skipped up my driveway, into my house, discarding the mailers and countless catalogues weighing me down.

I even retrieved my letter opener, careful to avoid a nasty snag in the personal correspondence. 

Imagine my slumped shoulders and foul language when after lovingly caressing and opening my  letter, I realized it was an ad for window washing deceptively housed in a pretty envelope. Fake. Liars. Cheats!

Do you know how excited I was to think I was getting a letter? A real live letter, not a card, not a thank you note - not an invitation? A letter! When was the last time you got one of those? If I had to wager, I would say the last letter I received was postmarked mid 1990s. 

While my husband occasionally gives me cards with lovely words inside, it’s nothing like a letter. A letter, like  “Oh wow, I’m coming back from ECON 101 and the postman is leaving campus and I bet I have a letter in my mailbox” kind of letter.

A letter professing love, adoration and longing. A letter from a far away friend detailing a journey in a far away land. A letter from a family member updating you on life in the country....

While reminiscing about letters gone by, I decided to take action. The joy I felt in the minutes leading to my acute depression was so welcome. I wondered if I could give that  joy to someone else?

Why not?  I’m bringing letter writing back! (cue ‘SexyBack’ by Justin Timberlake.) I will bring surprise and joy into peoples lives! I will write a letter, I declared.

The first step to my letter writing declaration was to find stationery. I did, in my desk drawer, untouched and bought circa 1999. Telling. Step 2 was to determine who to write to. Um, this was tricky. Who might want to hear from lil’ old me? A parent, a friend? My godmother? After a few Oreos and a cup of coffee I decided on a friend I haven’t seen in forever. 

The writing of the letter was surprisingly easy. Words flowed forth and I provided updates on family and friends, I pondered life, and sealed it with a heartfelt promise to get together soon.

There were, however, a few glaring surprises: My penmanship is horrendous. Use it or lose it, I suppose. I type more than I write, and when I write it’s usually only to sign off on a Math test for my kids. Note to self: practice handwriting.

Second glaring realization is crafting a letter is so much more intimate than typing an e-mail. The words on the paper stream directly from my hand to my pen to the paper. It’s more personal. I can’t go back and delete. My humor is less cutting and more thoughtful. 

Realization No. 3: Letter writing is quiet, calming and nearly reverent. It stilled me and gave me a sense of presence. 

I’m not quite sure how my letter will be received. All I hope is for the recipient to feel a little jolt of excitement, a small surge of energy, when the letter is opened. What I am sure about is that I loved writing it.

It brought me joy and a jolt of excitement when I stamped it (yes, a stamp!) and dropped it in the mailbox. I’m bringin’ letter writing back - off to write letter No. 2!