Letters

In my opinion, letter writing is a lost art form. It is a simple way of letting someone know that you care about them, and yet it has become extinct. Have we as a people become so busy that we can't even take a little bit of time out of our busy day to reflect on a relationship that we have with a friend? "But there is texting," is probably what you are thinking. Yes, it's more convenient, and yes it's faster, but what happens when the memory on your phone gets full? The conversation that you had with that person who is supposedly so important to you is lost forever in the void of cyber space. A letter however is something that can be kept forever, to be read again, pondered and enjoyed. I have kept every single letter that I have ever received from anyone (sadly, only enough to fit in a shoe box), and nothing makes me happier than to open that boxed filled with tangible pieces of love that have been sent to me over the years. And it has not gone unnoticed that the letters that have come in recent years have become fewer and fewer. I am still in contact with almost every single one of those people who's handwriting can be found in that box, yet it has become a different kind of transaction- texting, emailing, and "writing on their wall".
The loss of letter-writing brings another issue into my mind. So many things that were once a common occurrence in "the olden days" have simply ceased to exist. Things such as courting, chivalry, and even common courtesy have been left by the wayside and have been replaced by such things as speed dating, and down-right rudeness. I think that the statistics speak for themselves. The fact that about 60% of today's married couples end their relationship in divorce demonstrates this utter lack of real communication. I have always said that one of the most romantic things my future boyfriend/fiance/husband could do is write me a love letter. Not some cheesy or racey note, but a real, old-fashioned love letter.
I don't expect this little note to improve the world's statistics on the number of letters mailed each day or anything. I just wanted to hopefully make you think about the ones you love, how short life is, and maybe give you the inspiration to take out a piece of paper, a pencil or pen, and (no matter how long it takes) write a letter. There is nothing like receiving a letter from someone. You open the seal, and tucked inside is a little piece of the person who sent it. Their thoughts, their handwriting, their scent... it's something of this world that I actually could consider magical. I know that that sounds cliche and cheesy, but it's how I feel. Take it how you will.