When I was in middle school and high school, I had a handful of penpals from New Jersey to Florida to the Philippines among others. I had fun with various stationary and stickers and sometimes included colored doodles with my letters. I could write pages and pages. Receiving a letter in the mailbox from another part of the country or world was such a treat, especially during middle school when my introverted self had few close friends. It felt great mattering to someone outside my immediate circles.
With email, texting, and social media overload, sending a letter or card via the post office has lost its appeal. Someone I used to work with told me his daughter’s elementary school stopped teaching cursive handwriting because the administrators didn’t see the necessity. I find that a shame, and one of my resolutions this year is to make a better effort to brighten someone’s mailbox instead of their inbox. It may take more time, money, and effort, but it warms my heart knowing I made someone feel like they were worth all that.
That's What She(ryl) Said 