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Sharing the laughter with our letters
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Published: May 3, 2009
What a lot we lost when we stopped writing letters. You can't reread a phone call.
Liz Carpenter
A few weeks ago I shared an idea about sending a note of thanks during the 40 days of Lent, or at any time. You benefit from the act of writing the note and from the responses you receive. Like a boomerang, what you send out comes back.
"Thank you so much for the card! What a wonderful idea," one person wrote. The note was a reminder, she said, "that we should always tell people how much we love and value them."
Another recipient told me, "I look back on some of the laughter that we've shared and my steps become a little lighter and my smile a little brighter."
"As I read and re-read the note, I too was inspired and moved to tears," wrote another friend. "Not just five days ago, I spoke to a friend about reconnecting with people — old friends and new acquaintances alike — with a note, just a few words to say 'I care and I'm thinking of you!' "
"I can't tell you how very, very touched I was by your note and letter … I will save it in a special file," was another heartfelt response. "Someone taught me a long time ago that I should create a file called 'Kind Words' and save letters that come my way that touch a very special place in my soul." She reads them when she needs "a lift or a bit of energy to keep on keepin' on." That is a great idea.
I have created a file like that too. And now, I have at least four additional letters to add to it, all from strangers. Yes, people I don't know from Clinton, Ark.; Dallas, Texas; Rochester, N.Y.; and Flower Mound, Texas. They are gifts from people with a passion for letter writing.
"Dear Nigel, You are a victim of Wendy Ross' project, 'Random Acts of Letter Writing,' " wrote Danielle. I read that sentence several times before continuing. A victim? I thought. In this case, that was a positive thing.
Wendy had come across my column, "Sending a note of thanks gives the season meaning." She wrote that she thought I might appreciate some mail from strangers.
Wendy's site, A Passion for Letter Writing (www.passionforletters.com), included a link to the column with this note: "Okay, I've found our next 'victim' of random acts of letter writing. I think it would be nice to send Mr. Alston a note … for passing along the inspiration to his readers. Who knows what will happen."
"It will be in the mail tomorrow!" wrote Danielle. "I love the idea of just randomly thanking people for their impact on our lives."
Hers was the first letter I received, telling me I was a "victim". I laugh at it now. I have read it a couple of times.
"I don't think many of us take the time to tell our friends and loved ones how important they have been and continue to be to us," Danielle wrote. "It's such a selfless act."
Lisa thought it was a great idea to encourage others to write letters. She also acknowledged "how difficult it can be to find the words and the time to write to the people we care about."
And Shannon sent her blessings. "In this age of e-mail and texting, it is a rare treasure to receive a letter in the mail." On rainy days, she pulls them out and enjoys a "conversation."
And the person who started this letter writing campaign, Wendy, had this to say in her note: "I am a big advocate of bringing letter writing back into fashion. So, I just wanted to say thanks and good job and keep on writing letters!" She concluded her note with a message for the person who sent me the note that led to the column. "And tell your friend he rocks for starting a cool new thing."
Thank you, Wendy.
So, what are you waiting for? Keep the love going. Write a note or letter to a family member, friend, an acquaintance, or even a stranger. Who knows what will happen with the goodness you deposit in others.
• Nigel Alston is a Dale Carnegie trainer and motivational speaker who lives in Winston-Salem. He can be reached at nalston1@triad.rr.com.
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