The conversation usually begins with reasons.  You know the ones: the old ways involve too many steps and consume precious time. If the excuses were listed out, the result would conclude that handwritten letters are not in line with the conveniences of today. Why wait for the postman when our society thrives on instant gratification?  But there is an untold and perhaps secret and beneficial side of the conversation.  A letter on stationery gives us a sense of nostalgia. A moment to stop, sit down, and absorb the formation of each letter on the envelope before delving into the six or seven pages of intimate communication!  And, just by holding the sheets of paper, you feel the love pouring out of each loop and line.

How many people know the hat boxes stacked in the corner of your bedroom contain beloved paper treasures? Perhaps, you have neat little stacks of envelopes tied with ribbon denoting a particular person in your life. The priceless freehand pictures of birds or stars or stickers are the additional gifts, similar to blown kisses returning to your heart.

You may even love the crisp sound when unfolding the paper, or the slight indentations left behind from the writer and your hand.

The process is magical, from the choice of blue verses on light green stationary, the color of the pen, the careful presentation of particular experiences, the emphasis on neat and steady penmanship and placing the envelope in a mailbox.  The act of sending thoughtful words, personal feelings, care, and love is not old-fashioned, but timeless!

Did you know?

Handwritten letters contribute to health and happiness.  By sharing thoughts with a loved one, your brain activates the processes responsible for sensation, movement control, and thinking.  As we design each word, our mind can store the finer details.  The result of sharing experiences aids in decision-making and can help foster the process of healing.

Constructing a letter focuses on the present moment, disconnecting us from the world, fears and worries, and, most of all, technology.

Letters are tangible.  How often have you tucked an e-mail into a book or kept it for sentimental reasons? Ah, I thought not. Reading a typed font is not personal.  Our eyes skim, rather than soak up, each word etched onto a physical object.  And, beyond the last word of the e-mail, the physical reminder is soon forgotten.

Countless possessions throughout history are now dust; however, fragile pieces of paper and documents are memorialized in museums and protected for the value of the words.

Beautiful, elegant penmanship has a romantic quality. No matter when the individual lived, the words are a snapshot revealing a time and place, significant historical events, or a memorable moment spent between family members or friends.  It is a record of the details of life and people who are important to us.

To read, one must sit down and pay attention for a few moments.  Sometimes, you can hear the writer’s voice presented through the sentences and paragraphs, and smell a faint fragrance of perfume.  And the writer also knows when you will laugh or feel a pang of sadness.

Postcards present a small amount of space, forcing the sender to consider the exact words they wish to convey.  With one chance to apply the pen to thin cardboard, the writer understands the value of phrasing the message concisely.

The science of graphology, or in simpler terms, handwriting analysis, can detect more than 5,000 different personality traits based on the clues of word spacing, size, and open versus closed loops of almost every letter in the alphabet.  Cursive offers a better understanding of a person. A right- leaning slant indicates the individual is open to the world and enjoys socializing. Letters leaning to the left may reveal a rebellious nature, while perfectly vertical letters indicate that the person is logical, and perhaps guards his or her emotions.

Living in and before the 1980s may guarantee that you possess countless examples of hand-written correspondence.  Collecting memorabilia of a long-ago tradition does not have to stop in 2019. Letters are proof of time, love, and care.  Take the time today and write a letter to your loved one.  The sentiment will touch the deepest soul strings, and, hopefully, cause a reaction. Send a flower from your garden or draw a bird or a rainbow, just to add a dash of sentimentality. And waiting patiently for the postman is also part of the excitement of sending and receiving love!