When is the last time you sat down and wrote a letter? And I'm not talking that quick post it note you left on your co-workers desk about getting lunch later. I mean a sincere, thought-provoking letter? My guess is probably a long time ago, if even ever?
We live in a world where information can be retrieved in milliseconds and photos can cross the world with a push of a button. Not only can emails be blasted through cyberspace with little to no time to the receiver, but they have even taken place of phone calls because email is 'faster'. Text messages can be sent and stalked until you know someone has read it and better yet you can wait it out to see when they are responding back. It's been embedded into our brains that if you do not respond to a message within a few minutes, you need to apologize for your lack of attachment to your electronic device. It leaves little to no thought process time because you do not want to come across as rude or inconsiderate for not answering in a timely manner. Technology is exhausting.
I'd like to take you back in time, to the long, far, far away land of when technology was not as advanced and people had to actually wait. Wait for information. Wait for responses, which in turn allowed you to wait and gather your own thoughts before sending yours. Yes, you guessed it. I am talking about the forgotten art form of letter writing. What long ago used to be the only mode of communication between others seems to cease to exist in the millennial culture. It's how lovers secretly passed their poems and praises. It's how broken families remained in contact with one another. The beautiful odds that were once written across a page cannot be replicated in this day in age. We can't be bothered to take the time to cumulate thoughts in a well spoken letter to someone else.
This is something I just can't quite wrap my head around. Getting a piece of mail that is not a bill or junk is so exciting, almost thrilling. The fact that someone did take time out of their day to sit and write down their thoughts, feelings and regards to me makes me feel special. It's more than just a text message, it gives writing life again.
Let's be honest, I am just as addicted to my phone and constant communication as the next person, but I also write. I write letters to my friends, I write letters to my family and I write letters to myself. For whoever is willing to write me, I will find the time to write them. If you have a friendship, like quite a few of mine, who are willing to wait to share stories with you through a letter, cherish them. Keep them close. These individuals are going to mean more to you one day than you think, and it's all because you know more of them than the other side of a screen.
