My mother and I were generally reminiscing and realized that nobody wrote us letters anymore, except my aunt from Mangalore who writes us bi annual inland letters – vintage stuff!
There is something about a handwritten letter – it is so much more personal than an email. An email is mere communication, a letter is a medium to somehow convey love and affection as well. That’s what I feel anyway! There are so many ways to make a letter special and personal – the ink you use, the paper you write on, and most of all it contains your own handwriting.
I remember as a child when my uncle came from overseas, along with the goodies, he also got us a bunch of letters written by my relatives. In the good ol days, foreign shores seemed very distant indeed. Communication via telephone was expensive as well. It was letters that brought our loved ones and their world closer to us. My aunt’s letter was opened and read by each member of my family. It carried news of my uncle’s travels, children’s school and their life in foreign shores. My uncle’s letter, with its almost calligraphic script, was also looked forward to. We didn’t have satellite television back then and their letters were our window to another world.
My mother’s world was also broadened in her youth through her letters exchanged with her pen friend. My mother, back in the sixties, had a pen friend, Elizabeth, who lived in France. They lost touch, but my mother has preserved several letters and black and white pictures of Elizabeth and her family. I used to love going through those letters and the pictures and imagine what Elizabeth must be doing in present day. I suggested to my mother that via the internet we try to find her again, my mother is not so convinced that we will manage. Maybe I’ll try this weekend!
I also had a pen friend in my late teens who lived in the US. I learnt a lot about US college life, the different hobbies and passions they pursued – I still have the pictures of the mountains taken by him on treks. I also have the cd he sent me of Sanatna when I was 19 – Smooth! I am in touch with him far and between but when my mom and I went in nostalgia mode, I immediately called up his home, and since he was away I had a chat with his wife. Wow, letters can sure build lasting relationships!
I also really miss receiving greeting cards. Every year on my birthday, I used to wait for cards from different places (I was a stamp collector as well in those days), it made my birthday complete. My brother once sent me the identical birthday card two years back to back (it’s true that the card was about a pesky but lovable sister, which perfectly represented me) – haven’t got card for a couple of years now, drat! Thank God, we still receive a few cards for Christmas. Also, I don’t like E-cards, they suck! Write me an email instead.
So here’s what I am going to do. I am going to send cards and write a letter from time to time to my loved ones. Who wants to be pen friends with me *wink*!
