Do you write letters anymore...the old fashioned way?

Recently I read somewhere that letter writing improves your brain function, in particular cursive writing. However most schools no longer teach cursive writing goodbye cursive writing in spite of the fact students that use it do better on most tests.

For me it is all about the personalization of writing, and that means mostly on a personal level. Letters, short notes to friends, thank you notes, these are all places we can use our cursive writing skills. Even at work I love the opportunity to hand write a note to express my thanks for a job well done, or a donation someone made because they cared. I figure if they care enough to do a job well, or to make a contribution to something, they deserve a note from me. It takes but a moment or two from your day. I was noticing however that my writing skills were deteriorating, and sometimes even I had trouble reading what I wrote. Even though I use a moleskine (I love quality) to write down notes at meetings and track events, my handwriting is getting worse.

So I made a pledge to myself. To write at least one letter a week. The first week was pretty easy and I managed to get short notes off to a couple of old friends, sent a newspaper clipping to my son and a birthday card to another son. It is also a good excuse to use up all the note cards I have been saving for some 'special occasion'. I even went out and bought some special paper and envelopes to make it feel more festive for me. Sort of like setting the kitchen table for an everyday meal, because every meal should be a celebration.

Of course writing the letter is not the end of the process, you have look up the address. I found this bit intrigued me, even though I can drive to your house, I can visualize your house, I didn't know the address. We have become dependent on technology like GPS in our iPhones or TomTom devices. We often don't even refer to maps any longer as a navigation device, which really puts my partner in a tizzy as he loves to navigate the 'old fashioned way'. And I must admit it is far more reliable than some devices. So I got out my trusty iPhone and looked for addresses, and the ones I didn't have I used the internet for. A real combination of new technology and tradition.

We must not forget the stamp, and although the price has increased considerably the technology is the same, well almost, no more licking required. I do love the self adhesive stamps. This will require a trip to the post office or a retailer that carries said stamps, and finally to the box which swallows up your letter and upon some miracle delivers it to the final destination. Hopefully in a reasonable space of time. I realized it takes time, commitment and resources to mail a letter, and so it is not surprising that it is becoming a thing of the past.

Letter writing is only one way to practise cursive writing. Many people still write daily journals, and I must admit I romanticize that I would be a good journal writer, but I lack the discipline to stay at it. I think I must have several journals that I started but never stayed with. I suppose if you put them all together there might be something interesting there. I think I will leave that for when I die, the kids might find some juicy tidbit that makes them say, " wow, Mom did that?" Shake them up a little bit.

Recently a good friend got her note and dropped me an email saying how it had arrived at just the right time. She has been going through a difficult period in her life and the note made her feel valued and loved. Just as it was intended to do.  I will continue to write my letters and mail them. There is something very satisfying about the clunk that box makes when I drop my letter in it. Everyone loves to get unexpected mail, especially when it is not a bill or junk mail ( make sure you check your junk mail if you know me...it might be hiding a letter inside). Hopefully you can read my writing.