The Joy and Benefit of Receiving Snail Mail

Have you ever watched the face of a child who receives snail mail? The idea that someone sent a personal communication usually puts a sparkle in the eye and a very wide smile across the face.

It’s a realization (conscious or unconscious) that someone cares. ( …… adults respond the same way. )

Person-specific notes, letters, and even cards help make and strengthen human connections. A young child usually considers these writings treasures. That paper with a message is something that can be read and re-read many times over- something to take out and read when alone. The receiver of the original mail has a feeling of validity from and an authentic connection with the sender. Most children find a place to save those letters, cards, and notes to pull out and read time and again.

For many children it becomes a natural way to practice reading: reading again and again.  Often children want to respond in kind so it is also a natural, purposeful way to encourage writing.

The same is true for our older citizens. As my mom got older, her arthritis and Alzheimer’s meant she could no longer send notes without help. However, as the mail arrived her eyes would sparkle when she would get a letter. Just like a young child, she would take the note out of the envelope with relish.

She had a basket beside her chair and looks at her collection of personal mail often. She always said, ”I heard from... I need to write her.” Those letters were the connection to memories in her life. It was important for her to remain connected and in her last years, someone would scribe.

Mom came from the era when personal notes were the way to connect and stay connected with others. Receiving a letter was like having a personal conversation with someone — an authentic connection that created a visual in the mind.

For many years she talked about how writing letters was an art. Not only for the craft of writing, but as an aside a need for handwriting as well. Handwriting is personal and of course one can recognize that handwritings of close family and friends. Note and letter writing was also a way to communicate more privately; remember the first telephones were party lines — someone could eavesdrop. Mom would share the idea that if one corresponded with others the handwriting would show a person’s feelings as well as the well-chosen words. A personal letter or note was a way to share one’s self.

Mom bemoaned the launch of the internet: e-mail and later social media. We would have lively discussions that e-mail has been an updated version of the note and many of us write more often with the help of the computers. So writing is still a very important way to communicate. Mom would argue that you miss the connection of familiar handwriting and instead see print which is more monotonous; even though easier to read, hence not as personal. Like the party line on the telephone it is easier to eavesdrop!

Many of us save notes, letters and cards we have received over the years. For many of us it is a validation of who we are and our connections. If we receive an e-mail that does the same, we save. It is not quite as personal as it becomes part of many e-mails that are in a folder. Perhaps a hard copy is the answer.

Remember that notes, letters, and cards are part of personal history. The people behind those letters are the people that affect you somehow. They respond to your thoughts and actions and share in like kind.

We all experienced the pleasure of receiving a personal note, letter or card as children and young adults. This is a simple idea to give a virtual hug and make a connection with a child or older citizen through a handwritten note, letter, or card. Consider it!