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By Diane Forrest
In this electronic age, there is
something that has gotten pushed by the wayside - The art of letter writing.
Every now and then I will come across an article in the news mentioning
a letter from someone famous that has been discovered. These letters give us an insight to the
people, time, and history that has taken place. Many are very fascinating to read, and some
are just like the letters you write to your Aunt Tilly.
My stepson started a job working
out of town. He is gone for normally 3
weeks at a time. I encouraged him to
write cards or letters to his wife and daughter while he was gone. He informed me that with the internet, cell
phones and such, there was no need to physically write a letter. I tried to explain to him that while those
were good methods of communication, nothing beats a handwritten letter. It is something you can hold on to, read over
and over again, and save as a memento of the personal touch.
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Many people save letters from
old loves, or family members who were in battles overseas. These memories are so precious to them, even
more so if the writer never returned home.
It is like holding a piece of them in your hands and in your heart.
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Many children recently wrote
letters to Santa Claus, letting him know what their wishes were for Christmas,
and our local newspaper publishes them, and they are so cute and funny to
read. There are also a number of
children who write to presidents of the United States. Once such letter, to President Franklin
Roosevelt is included below:
"My good friend
Roosevelt," was the surprisingly informal salutation. "I am twelve
years old. I am a boy but I think very much." Apparently one of the things
he thought about was what he wanted from the U.S. President: "If you like,
give me a ten dollars bill green American, in the letter, because never, I have
not seen a ten dollars bill green American and I would like to have one of
them." The letter was signed with a flourish: "Castro, Fidel Castro."
At the time he wrote this letter, it was not known he would grow up to be a
Cuban dictator, but if not for someone saving this letter, we would have never
learned of his request.
This week is Letter Writing
Week. Letters are not just for children,
but for everyone. I save every letter I
receive, and keep them in a box to pull them out every now and then. If you have someone who is far away, or even
down the street, send a letter to let them know you are thinking of them. If you don't have someone to write to,
consider writing someone in the military.
I had attempted to find an address for any serviceman or woman, however,
I couldn’t find just an address, but you can check out www.anysoldier.com,
soldiersangels.com or wounded warrier.com.
Don't let these skills die off in a text, pull out some pen and paper
today, and write a nice letter to someone you know.
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