Thanksgiving is just around the corner so I’d like to take some time ahead of the holiday to reflect on the things in my life for which I am the most thankful. Thankful Thursday is a weekly series for the month of November.
We had our pictures taken this past weekend for our annual Christmas cards. I get really excited about designing our cards every year because they always turn out so awesome, which leads to me giddily but impatiently waiting to receive everyone else’s holiday cards, photos, and letters. December is one of the best months because there’s a treat in the mailbox just about every day, and we just don’t get that anymore. So this Thursday, I’m thankful for any and all of the handwritten mail I receive all year long.
When I was in undergrad, which was ages ago at this point, my aunt and uncle sent me a card in the mail every month. They would include family updates, news about my high school’s sports teams, and other little tidbits of information they thought I might like. I looked forward to those cards every month — and not just because they also included some cash in there 😉 Knowing that someone is thinking of me and taking time out of their busy lives to write me a letter, card, etc. is truly one of the greatest feelings in the world.
The other day I was reading an article about hobbies you could take up if you don’t have any hobbies and it listed “sending physical letters to people.” Um, why didn’t I already think of that? I love writing letters, I love getting letters, and I had several pen pals when I was kid so why not make someone else’s day by writing them a letter? I’ve been thinking about turning this into a hobby in the new year. We’ll see how I do.
It seems like email, texting, and social media have made letters essentially obsolete, so the gift of real mail is one that I treasure and one for which I am truly thankful.
[…] for all the wonderful things in my life. In the past, I’ve highlighted tangible things like handwritten mail and flowers, as well as more abstract concepts like laughter and family […]
[…] envelop containing a handwritten letter or card? For me, it’s awesome and I’m so grateful because it lets me know someone is thinking about me. This year, I want to not only take more time […]
I love sending and receiving mail! I used to have pen pals when I was younger, but we slowly lost touch. I get excited about Christmas cards every year, too. It’s so much fun!
I remember how fun it was to have a pen pal and waiting with anticipation for the next letter. It really was the best. And we’re getting closer to Christmas card season — ours are supposed to arrive in the mail today!
I love getting an handwritten letter in the mail. I wish more people would write.
Me too! Maybe if I write more letters to folks, more folks will write letters to me. Worth a try, right?
i LOVE writing personalized notes / letters. it is definitely a lost art!
I love that your aunt and uncle sent you letters. How sweet! I love to receive letters and try to send some to friends throughout the year. Jess at Just Jess
My aunt and uncle have always been like a second set of parents to me and they really are the sweetest. They still send cards for the major holidays but not as often as they used to. I’m hoping to pick up the tradition with my own nephews 🙂
The art of letter writing has gone out of style. However, I will say that my nephews schools are bringing them back! We wrote letter for a full school year and I loved being a pen pal with my eldest nephew (he was 9 at the time). I felt we became closer and since he lives in Kansas it’s difficult to be physically close.
xo, Lee
I love that you and your nephew are pen pals, and that his school is encouraging it! How much fun is that? I hope he’s learning cursive, too, because I don’t think that should ever go away but that’s neither here nor there. When I chose my pen pal, I chose a girl who lived in Kansas because that’s where my dad grew up and I still have family there. It’s wonderful that being your nephew’s pen pal has brought you closer. I’m very close with my 6-year-old nephew and wouldn’t change it for the world!