What words of encouragement can you offer the person who receives your letter? They are very important to me because the writers have died. The mood & the then temperament of the writer could be felt in the letters. Appreciate your kind visit and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this hub! Thanks for reading and sharing your views on this article! Handwritten letters are history now. We need to keep this wonderful form of communication alive.

With an email, you can't even be sure who actually wrote it. My youngest is 7 and sadly is sick and cannot attend school today.

I have preserved their letters, as precious memories. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. So, keeping in touch with old friends was through letters. My grandfather, my parents were very regular in writing letters to me. I do agree, handwritten letters are like photo albums that one pores over whenever we get nostalgic I guess, at least that is the case with me. News from last week's churchwide executive board meeting. You beautifully described the emotions, involved in writing a letter by hand.

Yes you are right- these letters are precious and bring back sweet memories.

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Before text messages, emails, or even cheap phone calls, these letters sustained their fledgling relationship for more than a year. Appreciate your kind words and support.

I have always loved letters. We read them and forget them, sometimes even delete them. I agree with you—handwritten letters can’t be replaced. Reference: http://handwrittenletters.com/history_of_handwritten_letters.html. U.S.A. on December 01, 2017: This is lovely. Nothing fancy is required to participate. Thank You. How I used to check the wooden letter box. That time is over, never to return—Sad! You write because there’s something you need to … They are not capable of leaving an impact in the mind or heart. I completely agree with your views.

I remember getting remarks from my teacher, ‘improve your writing.’ :). I was also prompt in writing to them. I still have all of my mother's and read them now and then.

Thanks Catherine for your kind visit and comments! Thank you Linda for sharing your thoughts about handwritten letters. I do have a few handwritten letters. We want to be with and care for others. Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on August 04, 2020: Thank you Vanita for reading the poem and sharing your personal experiences. They will get your letter; you will get their letter. Those are normally the only two we occasionally get in the mail these days other than cards like birthday and Christmas. They have become a bit novel in our digital age, but they do sustain community. What a joy!

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on November 30, 2017: Chitrangada, so many sentiments in the handwritten letters which we cannot get from any other form of communication. You do it to give, not to receive. Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. I have preserved many of my letters, written by my closed ones. I am glad that you liked it and found it relatable. They are full of warmth, feelings and character that keep you alive and close to your people far across the waters. Even I don’t remember, when was the last time, I wrote a letter.

Appreciate your kind words and support. Before this date, letters and envelopes did not have stamps and the receiver had to pay on its receipt. Lucky for us, the Women of the ELCA’s Dear Friend in Christ project doesn’t require daily letter writing!

We must try to inculcate the habit of writing letters in the younger generations, so that it doesn’t become a lost art. You start by writing a letter using the salutation, “Dear Friend in Christ.” Fill a page or two, however you are inspired.

If you want to handwrite letters to spread more love and care in the world just go to this lovely website www.moreloveletters.com. Dear Friend in Christ is a simple project. Glad that you still receive handwritten letters from your friends. Appreciate your thoughts. I am glad that you liked the poem. Receiving a handwritten letter is so special, like receiving a gift. I still have some of my father's letters preserved .... Quite a few letters from friends are also there. I agree with you that many sentiments were involved in handwritten letters. This is such a beautiful article! The idea is to sustain our community, and all that is needed are your words. The world needs more poetry and more hand written letters. Thank you MsDora for sharing your thoughts on this article! And those lovely letters, sent by my parents. This blog is Linda’s Grace Notes column in Gather’s September 2020 issue. I used to write them but alas! A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today. Thank You Ericdierker for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I have preserved some, written by my loved ones.

You write because there’s something you need to say, not something you need to know.

Thank you femi for stopping by! When you write to Dear Friend in Christ, your letter will be swapped with a letter from another writer.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 30, 2017: I really can't remember the last time I received a real handwritten letter. All Rights Reserved. I liked the tenderness with which you approached this work. My 76-yr old aunt still writes them. Vivid thoughts about her wonderful sense of humor, imagination, and the times we spent together come back to me as if she were still here. U.S.A. on September 20, 2019: Yahoo, I left this on follow and it reminded me to write one today. English poet and Anglican cleric John Donne said it best: “…More than kisses, letters mingle souls.”. No more. I hope you inspire more to put pen to paper.

Abitha from Chennai, Tamilnadu on September 20, 2019: This poem triggered so many good memories. It's a lovely poem. The First handwritten letter was by Persian queen, Atossa around 500 B C. The first stamped letter we know today, came into being, in the reign of Queen Victoria in 1840.

Nothing can replace the happiness you get when you receive one! So, along the lines of everything-old-is-new-again, how about a letter-writing project to sustain community? This is just impossible but for the tone of the emails today. Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 08, 2017: Thanks Sonam for sharing your thoughts on this subject! The handwritten letters were written with affection and feelings, which is lacking in emails or text messages. Letters were folded with wax, hand seal or ring. Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 05, 2017: Thanks Devika for reading and commenting on this article! It seems more fun that way. Even I can’t remember the last time, I received those handwritten letters. Kind of sad, really. It’s good that you still receive handwritten letters from your close ones. And there is no personality. Sure, you can use a beautiful set of stationery or handmade paper. Still believe in this concept and write letters ! I agree with you. For Lutheran Christians, it is part of our spiritual DNA. The exchange is anonymous (unless you provide your contact information), so you can share as little or as much information about yourself as you like. You print and sign the Dear Friend in Christ release form at welca.org/dearfriend (or complete it online) and then place the release form and letter in an envelope and mail it to Dear Friend in Christ, Women of the ELCA, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago IL 60631. The handwriting somehow had the power to capture and preserve a lot more than just words. Written affectionately, by my grandfather. So much has changed that handwritten letters are rarely seen these days. Letters are paired at random, and we will try to match participants with someone in a different geographical part of the ELCA. And when writers grant permission, snippets of letters have been posted on welca.org/dearfriend. Salaam! Your letter can be handwritten or typed. For Lutheran Christians, it is part of our spiritual DNA. We want to be with and care for others. Thank you so much Abitha, for sharing your thoughts on this poem. Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 02, 2017: Thanks Peggy Woods for reading and commenting! Yes those handwritten letters contain the warmth and emotions of our dear ones, which is somehow missing from the e-letters. This is somehow lacking in the modern means of communication.

What a shame that it is becoming a lost art. Chitrangada likes the old ways of communication, but also loves to explore the many advantages of technology. Thank You. There is a preconceived notion that handwritten letters are more emotionally closer to the recipient than digital messages and that they have a genuine, human touch to it, and this is also true in much cases. Vanita Thakkar on August 04, 2020:. Thanks for suggesting the website. I am glad that you liked the poem. Catherine Giordano from Orlando Florida on November 30, 2017: An Ode to Handwritten Letters. I will check this out. Especially the letters from my grandfather, my parents and of course my husband. I love the handwritten letters I still receive from my pen pals in Europe. Letters are mailed on a rolling basis. Linda Post Bushkofsky is executive director of Women of the ELCA. That would be interesting to know, what next? I lost the habit of writing letters after I got hooked on the keyboard. Much appreciated. I had a scattered schooling due to my father's transferable job. Thank you so much for commenting. Technology has changed lives. It makes me wonder what is next? Same here, billybuc! Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 01, 2017: Thank you Manatita, for appreciating the hub! The words that were written in hurry were easily separable from those written with a lot of thought and emphasis in multiple sittings.

To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. I have always loved letters. Haven't written a letter for last 10 years. They take forethought and concentration because they are a process, a kind of reflection.

Women of the ELCA staff read all letters before the exchange happens. They have a magic all their own! Maybe you’d like to include a drawing, photo, recipe, prayer card, or something else to boost the spirits of the recipient.