The lost art of letter writing

Been a while since I have posted. There is not much to say. I have been working out regularly, did 40 minutes at a 15 percent incline at 17 minutes per mile, and felt good. The Plantar Fascia on the left foot has been an issue, but I have been there before and will get through it. The last time I stepped on a scale was before the previous post. I will wait at least four (4) weeks and continue to focus on balanced eating and working out consistently. Tonight, I decided to post this brief update and tell you of another interesting situation I discovered.

Recently, I watched a few old movies. I love old movies—well, it depends on what we think is old. I am talking about those from the 40s and 50s. Recently, I watched "Love Letters," which made me think of the many movies that contained letters to and from friends and family to those fighting a war. It made me think of Gump's letters to Jenny in that movie.

Although Love Letters was about much more than writing letters, it got me thinking about what has become a lost art, letter writing with a pen and paper. The art of letter writing has become an extinct part of communication.

There was a time when writing letters was the only means of communicating over long distances. In today's world, we can pick up a phone and speak to anyone anywhere in a second or two. I even thought about my diary. Did it go electronic over a decade ago? I went to get an old diary. My clarity in the words on paper changed with my emotions. My little drawings and emphasis that can only come from a pen were shown.

So tonight, I decided to try to see if I even had that long-lost skill. I failed! Spelling, grammar, and readability went out the window. So I picked up my laptop and started to type a letter I would then write. But that is stupid, is all I thought…

I thought… What is it about a letter that once had so much appeal? I think about the letters that were part of my favorite sitcoms (M.A.S.H.) I saw an episode where Trapper talked to his wife on the phone.  They finished with "I Love You," and it was short-lived. Then, there was another episode where she wrote about her love for him. It lasted the entire show. Not only that, I remembered it in the next episode…

Yes, reading something in a letter, knowing someone took the time to write it, makes it much more meaningful. It is permanent. And even if they take those words back at some time in the future, you still have a permanent record of it.

I know that is true with an e-mail or text, but there is a flare to the curves in the letters on the paper, which are part of an individual's uniqueness. It is unique in appearance and memorable when you see it again and again. It is hard to explain, but there is so much more a precious meaning to a well-written (with a pen) letter… I think of the days I got Christmas letters; you could see the joy in the style. In as much, you could see tear drops on those sad letters. Get that in a text or e-mail, never…

Strangely, my failed effort to write a letter (with a pen) struck me. I began to wonder if I knew myself sometimes. It reminded me of many other times when I thought I had no clue who I was or where my place was in this world. Then it reminds me of what my Political Science said when I struggled academically and personally. He said:

"All we do in life is a journey, and taking the next step is the most important part of any journey."

What is exciting about taking those steps over the past 48 years is that I have met people who are in the same place at the same time in their lives, yet we got there in completely different ways. Then we take another step in perfect sync with one another, yet it seems like it never fails; we go on to a completely different place.

Strange… So I will close by saying that I made a second effort to write a letter… before I just quit… Give it a try… It sure made me think about myself, my past, and some of the simple things I cherish!

Carry on…