Letter writitng was a part of my school curriculum and I noticed that my children are not writing letters in school. I grew up having pen pals to whom I wrote on a weekly basis, my children do not.
John and Abigail Adams had a healthy letter writing habit. We have a marvelous and accurate historical picture of their time and concerns for a young United States. From their letters we have gained insight into the issues facing American society during the journey to independence and the struggle to establish itself as a nation of influence. Thanks to the letter writing habit of previous generations we know much of our past history and have gained insight into the private lives of those who have influenced our governance.
Think about the letters Ronald Reagan wrote to his beloved Nancy. We do not have to be award winning writers, but a heartfelt note to our loved ones, family and friends can be a real source of comfort and encouragement at the most unexpected time.
Letter writing would also encourage our young ones to read. Imagine getting a letter from a beloved relative addressed them, with a story from that relative or some tidbit of information. That is communication time with that person not shared with anyone else.
Thanks for your post. You have given me much to think about. I have always recognized the value of letter writing, but have not taken the time to continue this communication skill. Letter writing is the heart and soul of communication. Afterall, history helps us to see that our great orators mastered the spoken word by their skillful use of the written words.
|