Mom’s Last Letter and Lost Art of Letter Writing
Last night I was inspired to write a letter.
It was after I read an older book on my shelf, written back in 1971, The Hidden Art of Homemaking.
Yes, the book’s outdated a bit, but Mrs. Schaeffer’s love for “art” and the art found in the ordinary areas of everyday life, is inspiring. Edith Schaeffer’s writings have had a positive influence on Christian women, as she writes about how we all have hidden talents, unfulfilled talents, just waiting to be expressed and developed.
Which made me think of words … speaking and writing them.
I always had a love for words and writing, but I didn’t feel very skilled with them. When I discovered blogging, I learned to be creative with my words regarding hospitality.
I do love to share my heart with others when it comes to the subject of hospitality. I want to help others. Which, by the way, I always wonder if my mom really knew that my name means “Helper.” :)
One of the ways that we can help or encourage others in life is by the words that we choose to use. And we never know what our last words will be, either.
The other day I found the last letter that my mother wrote to me. I keep it in a safe place and read it often. My mom was an avid letter-writer, card-sender. That was her way of encouraging others.
Dear Little Coughlin Family,
I am getting homesick for all of you. Good thing I have pictures or does this make it worse?
She went to tell us what she and my dad were doing, how much things cost, the friends they were seeing, the places they were traveling to …
We miss all of you. Not sure when we will head home … Love, Mom and Dad
Today things are so different. We text, call, send pictures through email but we do little letter writing.
I’m thankful for the gift of my mom’s last letter. I love seeing her handwriting; it reminds me of when I was young. I love that she was homesick for our family. I love feeling her heart …
Writing is an art that I hate to say is diminishing quickly, especially writing letters. And paper notes can also reflect a hospitable spirit …
Do you think writing letters or cards is important, and when is the last time you practiced the art?
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I sent a thinking of you card a couple of weeks ago and need to make and send a thank you card this week. I love getting cards and try to send them when I can. I wish Christmas cards would make a huge comeback they are so much more pretty and genuine compared to an email.
Wow. What a treasure to have. AND what a inspiration for your mother to pass along. I’m so lazy when it comes to writing anything these days, but it’s so nice when I receive a handwritten letter from someone. I really need to take time (and have the stamps ready!) to send more handwritten notes. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!
Although I don’t handwrite many letters (my handwriting is horrible and difficult to read) I do send a letter via post every week, sometimes two. Even if they are typed, it is so encouraging to receive something OTHER THAN BILLS in the mail now-a-days. They might be short, long, have clippings from interesting articles, or even many times just a funny postcard. It is a timeless art, a way of connecting with those you care about and even if we don’t get a return post, you can be confident you’ve made someone happy that day.
Lovely post. The Hidden Art of Homemaking is my all-time favorite book on the subject of domesticity. I received it in 1974 as a graduation gift from my pastor’s wife and still pull it out on occasion when I need revived in the area of home arts. I think it is timeless.
About letter writing…yes, it is becoming a lost art. My husband fondly tells me that his Mother would whip off a few lines on a paper towel while she was working in the kitchen, tuck them in an envelope, and mail them to him when he was a kid at scout camp. I’d love to have some of those for my collection!
My own Mom writes great letters, and her handwriting is a work of art. Almost pretty enough to frame.
Most of my hand written notes fall into the category of thank-yous, and I am most inspired when I use a fountain pen.
Thanks again for your lovely thoughts!
I wish more people wrote letters. Nothing beats getting a hand written thank you card in the mail or a quick little love note from a loved one. I collect stationary and adore writing letters for friends and family. It truly is a lost art and what a great way to be close to your mom by pulling out a letter she wrote. Happy Tuesday to you, friend!!
It is wonderful that you kept that letter from your Mom. I’m a fan of letters, both sending and receiving them. It takes time to sit down and write a letter and I think that time change the shape of what is said. Dashing off a quick e-mail is handy but just doesn’t have the same connection for me.
Darla
I love writing letters but don’t seem to do it very often these days. The last letter I wrote was to my English aunt – we had just come back from visiting her and I wanted her to know how important that time was to my sister and me.
But I must say that with email and FB and blogging, I feel that I am writing to more and more people every day – thanks to FB I’ve reconnected with cousins all around the world and write to them often. The sad thing is that there will be no lasting record – no box of letters to open. So I keep all the cards we receive in a box labelled with the year. Nobody looks at them now, but we will as time passes.
Yes, I think writing cards or letters is important and I am in the midst of sending one every day during Lent. I wish I could take credit for the idea but actually it was Karen Ehman who blogged about it on her February 22nd post. Instead of giving up something for Lent she was sending encouragement on all 40 days. My experience has been that it’s a wonderful journey so far and some days a bit challenging. Much like life:)
I have the last two letters my Grandma wrote to me in 1974 before she died. She died unexpectedly but those letters are reflective and thoughtful and I cherish them. I still cry when I read them but, like you, I love her handwriting, the fact that it is so personal. I love knowing that she touched the paper (silly) but I was very close to her and still miss her
VERY important in my book…and this past weekend. My kids learn early as well, and I love how excited they get when their daddy comes home with a bag of mail that has arrived and they hope that someone has written to them.