When I was visiting my parents recently, my mother lamented the fact that almost no-one send letters anymore. In fact, hardly anyone writes letters any more, not even typed ones sent by email. Social media such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and email have taken over our world and lives. Almost no-one picks up the phone any more either, other than to say they are running late for an appointment. Most now just send a text on the day if they can’t make it! Some even break up relationships via social media sites or text messages. For those who read blogs, especially personal ones like mine, although the communication is mostly one way, there is the occasional comment which makes it seem like a conversation. And it is personal, and if you read it, you are getting to know me. If you knew me before I started blogging, you will know me more deeply now. Todays blog is short as I have a big day ahead and don’t have the time to work on one of my longer drafts. This blog started with the comment I had written, Letter to mum. I had promised myself about four weeks ago I would write a letter, and post it, once a week to my mum. Of course I haven’t done this yet, but maybe writing about it might inspire me to start. If you have a grey haired mother or father, I guarantee if you write a letter that then arrives in their mail, it will make their day. I still love to receive a hand written note, card or longer letter, and usually keep them. I bet you do too. They are a wonderful record of love and friendship. For your parent, they are direct contact with you, and something they can sit and read, over and over again with a cup of tea, and easily share with friends. They are also a sign to their friends of their children’s love, and whenever I visit older friends or family, at home or in a nursing home, if they have received a letter from one of their family, especially one of their children, it is sitting with pride of place on the mantle or kitchen cupboard, for all to see. Note to self: write a letter to your mum (and dad)!
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thankyou for reminding me of how important mums are mine has just been diagnosed with grade 4 brain tumour she has always been my soul mate i`mtrying to be strong but she doesnt realise how serious it is and I cant and won`t destroy what life she has left.any help would be wonderful.thankyou
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My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Spend your time together with as much love and humour as you can muster. xo
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my mum says the same. she used to have the port neill schoolteachers board with her and over the years they wrote. one only stopped a few years ago and she presumes she passed away, she had had cancer. one has even called in to visit in recent years, i think the letters kept the bond. old neighbours from the farm write at christmas time and mum writes to everyone at christmas if they write to her as well. she poo poos the to and from cards but loves the letters. i tend to type a standard christmas letter and send out and love receiving annual news from those that do the same. perhaps i should send my mum a letter as well, wendy
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I agree, though as most people are time poor the art of receiving letters is now left to bills only 🙂
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I wish I had written to my mother more. I wrote her a letter to tell her how important she was to me, how she had helped shape the person I had become and how I would be forever in her debt. Unfortunately it was when she had been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. To much to say not enough letters to say them in.
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In my wifes “secret womens box” , I discovered those love letters that I wrote to her before we were married. We were separated by about 1200miles due to our work. The discovery gave me a bit of a start to begin with, as she had previously torn up all the letters she wrote to me, in my face, and said “you don’t need to keep them anymore”. (of course this was the paranoia of dementia in control). The letters reminded me of the passion I felt at the time, for our future, and I am so thankful of their existence, considering our current situation. I see nothing wrong with electronic letters such as this one that I am writing to you, as they are no different in expressing emotion,opinion or intent. Where do they go and how can we recover them for later perusal, to remind us of our thoughts and thinking at some time in the past. I am yet to find a filing system to deal with these.
Jeff
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Yes, Jeff I agree these are letters too, and I love receiving them. My mum however, even though she is using a computer, she finds it les personal and now does not log on very often. The notoin of getting it in the mail, typed or hand written, is what she says she yearns for, not having to log on, print it off, and then sit down with her cup of tea.
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I forgot to say, how lovely to have found those beautiful love letters, almost made me cry… another note to Kate: write a few love letters to my husband and kids
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