Recently, I was moved to write to a friend — a proper letter, not an email or a text message — in which I told her how precious she was to me and how she had brought me so much happiness over the years because of her constant goodness to me.
Her husband tells me that she’s too delighted and too astonished to yet know how to respond. Fine by me. I’m simply happy that I went out of my comfort zone to thank someone who richly deserves my gratitude.
Anyone you should be writing to or, at least, talking to right now?
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Vinita 03.02.10 at 9:34 am
That’s a great encouragement, especially to someone like me who puts off telephone calls and proper letters, thinking the perfect time will come to do it. Thank you.
Maura 03.02.10 at 10:10 am
I am long over due for writing to Oma ( who sends us letters at least 2 times a month much to my son’s delight) and Sr. Mary Catharine.
I just tucked a quick note in my son’s school bag yesterday as he began a week of standardized testing. I found a picture from him in my pocket today.
I was blessed with watching the power of such letters this past weekend at our parish’s Freshman retreat where parents and other family members were invited to write a letter to retreatants. The kids love these letters!
It is strange how some times we can put into letters such tender or deep thoughts we almost dare not approach with spoken words…and how much a simple note can make all the difference in a day.
I wonder why we find it so hard to find time to do such little things?
Eric 03.02.10 at 11:40 am
Did you really use a pen?
There are so many people who have been good to me, there isn’t enough time in a year for me to say all that I should. However, for me one of the wonders of email is that I can communicate frequently with many of these people. And, Maura, email is written words into which you can put tender or deep thoughts. And even blogs can serve this purpose, so I will once again say, “Paul and all of you people for others, thank you for bringing me closer to God.”
Paul 03.02.10 at 3:13 pm
Vinita,
You’re most welcome. We are a mutual “brain-jogging” association round here. We try to help each other do the occasional good thing.
Paul
Paul 03.02.10 at 3:17 pm
Maura,
Yes, isn’t it odd how we can put down into words on paper things that we find almost impossible to utter? And, equally, it is strange that we don’t find the time to send notes and thank-yous to people. It takes so little time, requires almost no effort, has significant rewards for sender and receiver, and yet… Hmm.
Paul
Paul 03.02.10 at 3:19 pm
Eric,
I don’t use a fountain pen, but one of those gel ones. And, yes, I type so much these days that my hand cramps up after a few minutes of writing by hand, but there is something wonderful about handwritten notes and letters.
Email is great for all the reasons you state, but because it is so easy to send out, I’m not sure the correspondence is as valued. But, then, I am probably impossibly old-fashioned about such things.
Your statement that People for Others helps bring you closer to God makes me happier than you can imagine. Thank you.
Paul
Michelle 03.02.10 at 4:34 pm
When I was making the 30-day version of the Spiritual Exercises, my kids and I kept in contact by mail. My youngest son (then 12) wrote me a dozen letters, which I treasure. How often do you get to know how much your almost teen-aged son loves you?
The funny part? He wondered how to answer the letters I wrote to him. Did you just circle the return address? He was reasoning by analogy — do it work like clicking the “reply” button!
I’m still writing (with a fountain pen) to people post the Exercises — if nothing else for the surprise of getting something personal in the mail….
Toolah 03.03.10 at 12:36 am
Thank you Paul for this post.
Yes… there are a few people that I know would be absolutely delighted to receive a good old-fashioned handwritten letter.
My old aunt who doesn’t have too many good things happening in her life, a dear girlfriend who has been a great support, my dear sister and maybe one or two more people.
I am sure all of them would feel great if I send them a letter, so that is exactly what I am going to do first thing tomorrow morning after my night shift.
Sometimes we need to be reminded about how very easy it actually is, to bring joy and happiness into another person’s life.
Thanks again Paul, this was a wake up call for me.
Eric 03.03.10 at 12:30 pm
Paul,
I have received via email truly heartfelt messages and deep sharing of faith. That they came via email instead of snail mail makes no difference to me. However, I am also touched by snail mail I get from Uncle Dick (Fr. Richard Vaughan, S.J.) and my Auntie (Sr. Judith Vaughan, O.P.)
For me, a keyboard is a blessing. I can still use it. My weakened hands cannot write for more than a few minutes and what I write is unreadable.