A Letter From Grandma

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A Letter From Grandma

Posted on December 7th, 2008 in How To by Ann Denton

About email versus letter writing. Includes a personal story about why a hand-written letter is better than receiving an email message.

Receiving a hand-written letter is often more personal than simply hearing “you’ve got mail.” It tells the sender that you took the time to select the perfect paper and pen, put it into an envelope, addressed it to their home, stamped it, and then walked the distance to the mailbox and dropped it into the slot.

Maybe because I am an old fashion gal, it means more to me to receive a well-crafted, hand-written letter than to get a quick email message.

When I was a little girl, there was no such thing as email. The only way people stayed in touch with loved ones was the old-fashioned way, putting pen to paper. I remember the first time I received a letter from my grandma. I was eight years old; yet felt very important. Grandma was always a busy woman, but she still found time to compose an ideal letter. The scent of her honeysuckle fragrance lingered in the air as I carefully unfolded the beautifully designed stationery from the envelope. Caressing the elegant script made me feel as if she was right there next to me. Even though the letter is old and worn and the pages have changed color, I will treasure my grandma’s letter for a lifetime. It still makes me smile every time I read her letter.

Today most homes have the modern technology of email readily available. It is quick and easily accessible, and no postage is necessary. While many emails enter my inbox daily, most of them get deleted as they travel to the recycle bin where they are lost forever. Emails are good for quick chats, instant messaging, and updates. However, with all the spam, viruses, and worms, I find that emails are nothing more than a mere distraction from a variable computer overload. Almost anyone can send an email; but it takes a certain type of person to create a special letter, like the one I hold dear from my grandma.

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8 Responses to “A Letter From Grandma”

Adam Henry Sears
December 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Hi Ann, I know exactly where you’re coming from. I have always liked sending actual letters through what everyone’s now dubbed “snail-mail”. It feels so much more personal. I don’t know how many times I’ve gone to my inbox and seen forward after forward from people I love. It’s discouraging, don’t you agree?
Cynthia Wall
December 7th, 2008 at 5:02 pm

What a timely and fun article. Lots of grandchildren and grandmas will benefit from this one.
Susan P
December 8th, 2008 at 1:19 pm

What a sweet article. I could feel your emotions as you described the letter from your Grandma. I also agree that email is a good way to stay in touch, but it does take away from the personal touch you get from an actual letter. Nicely written!
Diane Q
December 8th, 2008 at 7:47 pm

It’s a sad commentary on our society that there are generations of kids coming along who have no idea how to write a letter. It’s also sad to think that this simple art form may be lost to future generations. Somehow, IM just doesn’t give me the same thrill as receiving a piece of mail delivered by my postman.

Ann, thanks for this reminder about why intimate forms of communication should never be replaced.
Amanda F
December 10th, 2008 at 1:12 pm

Great article with a poignant message about our ever growing detached society. Today we are all too busy with the bustle of everday life, so the gestures of our feelings are becoming more impersonal. Ann, great reminder to slow down and take the time for those you love. Maybe we could all leave someone with a great keep sake like the one you still treasure from your grandmother!
stewarts13
December 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

VERY NICE AND VERY TRUE .

HOWEVER I USE E-MAIL MYSELF DUE TO COST OF MAIL.

BY USING E-MAIL I AM ABLE TO STAY IN MORE FREQUANT CONTACT

WITH A LOT MORE FRIENDS AND RELATIVES,

AGAIN, I DID ENJOY AND AGREE WITH “A LETTER FROM GRANDMA.”

GREAT WRITING , KEEP IT UP I ENJOY YOUR WORK.

STU
Emma Nicholls
January 8th, 2009 at 1:51 am

Dear Ann,

What a beautiful article! I completely agree! Letter writing has been a hobby of mine since I was a little girl, and its art instilled in me by my Mother’s own passion for creative letter writing.

There’s nothing quite so enjoyable as selecting the writing paper, matching stickers, using special handwriting, etc to create a memorable gift for someone we love, delivered to their mailbox.

And nothing quite so lovely as recieving in our own mailbox, a letter of this type from someone we love.

Well done, you have written a wondeful article. =)
sackles
February 26th, 2009 at 10:48 am

my God, i thought you were going to chip in with some decisive insght at the end there, not leave it with

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A Letter From Grandma

8 Responses to “A Letter From Grandma”

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