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Yes, the book’s outdated a bit, but Mrs.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...
What a special gift. My grandma wrote letters to me often on college & when I am really missing her I pull those out & touch them and read them. I need to get better about this!
I have always been a letter writer and in more recent years, a maker of homemade cards. I’ve always considered it a ministry of encouragement. My sister, mom and dad, have all passed away in the last 10 years and I wish I had saved more of the cards I was given through the years. I also appreciate my blogging because I often write about my love and appreciation for my children. Love your blog and your heart!
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This is a beautiful post, Sandy and it brought tears to my eyes. There is something so special and personal about someone’s handwriting especially those we love. I have poems that my dad wrote for me on scraps and bits of paper but they are in his chicken scratch writing. (And I mean that literally!) They are so precious. Letter writing is definitely a lost art that I want to make time for in my life. Thanks for the encouragement.
I keep reading the comments and see how much letters or just a note mean to us all. maybe we need to up our letter writing to affect change in others.
I also think since phone calls were less frequent, were more special. The numerous texts and all the phone tag games that get played seem like more of an intrusion and less of a treat.
I have seen hand written notes on the back of photos, gift tags, recipes, and cards or letters. They all make me feel like I am with the writer, at that moment in time.
Thanks for raising our consciousness.
You had me at the word handwritten letter from mom.
They are few – and so very special. Tears.
Thank you for this reminder to be in the moment
of Spirit moving you to share what feels like such
a trivial moment, but is filled with love and in your handwriting.
Southern Living Magazine show cased a framed
enlarged copy of an evelope from a loved one.
Great idea on all fronts.
You are loved, thank you for what you bring to the
forefront of my mind that is important or needs not
to be made bigger than it need be.
Hugs, Patti
Yes, yes, YES! I love hand-written notes, and enjoy both sending and receiving them. E-mails, FB messages, whatever, just don’t even come close. Thanks for posting this to remind us what a special thing taking the time to hand write something can be!
My grandmother used to send me letters in the mail even though we didn’t live very far apart. I try to send her letters now just to tell her I love her and how much she means to me. She doesn’t do email or texting of course so letters or phone calls keep me in contact with her. Great post and a wonderful reminder!
I agree Sandy the art of letter writing is dying, with all of our new technology. We have had this conversation with our boys, about how important it is to write a note, card, letter, not just send a text or email.
Our handwriting and the handwriting of our loved ones is unique only to them. I still have cards and letters that my mother and grandmother wrote, they have both gone on to glory. But when I take out those cards and letters, it immediately connects me back to them, that day that the card, letter arrived in the mail.
My fear is that our generation will not have these treasures to pass on to the next because of the new technology. I try to send cards at least once a month, and I always put a personal note in them, but I can count on one hand cards and letters we receive, and most of the cards are now with typed notes and signatures. We must continue to keep trying to keep this art form alive!!!
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie
I have been a letter writer since I was a young girl and I always thought that at my funeral I hope someone mentions how they enjoyed getting letters from me. Although I do email and texting now too, I did just write a letter last week to encourage my sister in law. After highschool I moved away from family and friends so I would write and my Grandmother would write to me, I saved all of her letters and have them in a box, When she died back in 1988, I read all of her letters to my husband on the way back home for the funeral and then later to family. My mother said “I never got a letter from my mother” since they had always lived close to each other. Although I have always been sad not to live in the same town as my family, I treasure my letters from friends and relatives. I have a couple people on my mind I need to get busy and write to, so this post just gave me the nudge I need. The only thing is , I’ve always hated my handwriting, I don’t have the nice fancy kind I would like! But that being said, maybe someday someone will look at my handwriting and it will bring back memories of me when I am gone, as my Grandmothers does for me!