Yesterday my daughter and I went through a bin of old cards and letters I had in the garage. She organized it into piles and put it all back in the bin in order of who everything was from. Old letters from family, friends and ex boyfriends. Her take away was that as she gets older her generation will not have anything like this to look back on, re-read or share with family.
It's sad and true. No one sends letters anymore. Thankfully I do have a friend who still sends letters and cards but these days and I get so excited when I receive one and add it to my current journal. These days everyone sends texts and it's not like anyone is printing out their back and forth conversations for prosperity.
Looking through the old love letters and retelling stories of people who were a big deal in my life way before she was born was cathartic and fun. I had forgotten some of the letters and others felt like only yesterday I had received them.
There was too much to go through them all because we were organizing and talking but I cannot wait to sit and really read them. Letters from my father who is now gone, cards and postcards I got from my grandparents as they travelled and love letters from ex-boyfriends that made me feel special. Hearing her "geez mom, another name. Another pile!" still makes me laugh right now.
I think sending letters is important and we should make a conscious effort of telling those we love how much we love them in something they can hold and re-read. In the past I have left my kids love letters as I left the house for work and they slumbered on but I think it's time to do this more. We are all getting older and I want her to have the "receipts" of my love in something she can see, hold, and share with her friends and family when I am no longer here.
