Monday, May 17, 2010

Compose A Letter

Pen to paper, paper to envelope, envelope to post office, and post office to you.

Does anyone do this much anymore? I know I don’t write letters as often as I once did nor do I seem to send as many cards.

I’m not really sure why I’ve cut back on my writing and card giving. I don’t send more e-mails or e-cards, I just don’t communicate as often with some people as I use to. I still think of them and mean to connect, but just don’t and that’s a shame. We never know how quickly someone can be gone forever from our life.

The reason this post topic came to mind is because I need (no I want) to write a thank you note to a friend. This friend surprised me last week with a package. Just out of the blue I received it. I had no idea she was sending anything. It was something she knew I collected and would love.

I first thought I’d send her an e-mail thanking her for the gift, but that seemed so impersonal. She had included a cute card with a note in the package.

So I decided sending her a thank you card would be the way to go. That’s when I realized how little non computer-related correspondence I do.

I have another friend who recently helped me tremendously in my endeavor to review more mystery books. We communicated through the internet and I did thank her through that media. But somehow that doesn’t seem enough either since she initiated this extra help for me.

I realize we all have crazy, busy lives and sometimes even going through the mail is another task we could do without. But having said that, would a thank you (or any type) card be a nice surprise in your mailbox or just one more item to have to recycle? Is an e-mail saying thanks enough and is it proper?

23 comments:

  1. I don't think you can beat the personal touch. Electronic mail is simply not the same. Sadly, hand written letters are a dying art. So yes, send a good old-fashioned card :)

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  2. I have to admit I can almost never make it to the post office so I gave up on letters. I email, phone and visit but letters just don't happen.
    That doesn't mean I don't enjoy it when someone sends me one.

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  3. Nothing beats a personal note, and you're right-- there are some situations when an email thank you isn't enough.

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  4. Oh, I think a thank you is a thank you! And always really appreciated. :)

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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  5. I tend to do both, depending on what was received.

    Since this was a surprise package, I would definitely send a personal note as well as an e-mail which is more immediate.

    Have a good Monday.

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  6. I was at a dinner last fall - a sister of a close friend was visiting from Florida. She has a friend who is 109 years old. When asked how he'd managed to live so long he replied 'I write and mail a letter a day.' We all took it up for awhile but for some of us it has fallen away. Some of my older pals don't do email and EVERYONE likes an envelope without a window in it! I make my own cards with photos - you already make so much...I think it would be a treat to get a card from you.

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  7. I think the postal sent thank you note seems to be on the outs. How sad. Email for me is so very convenient but I think I need to do more phone calling and sending a note or two through the mail. Getting something in the mail is wonderful. Great post.

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  8. Mason - Oh, that is a really interesting question. I do like getting things through the mail, especially if they're not bills, and when it's a very special "thank you" I sometimes do that. But I think it's such a nice surprise to be thought of that when someone sends me an E-thanks or "just becuase" E-card, I love that just as much. And some people would rather receive E-thanks; I know several people like that. Perhaps the kindest thing to do is find out whatthe person you'd like to thank really prefers and do that.

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  9. I've always felt that if someone goes through the personal efforts to do something for me, the very least I can do in return is a handwritten thank you. Something about an email in special situations just isn't enough.

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  10. I do send a lot of cards still - thank you, birthday, etc, but I'm sad to say I rarely write letters. I sure do love getting them, though!

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  11. Hi everyone, thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy our visits so much. It seems we all enjoy receiving something in the mail besides than bills. :)

    Jan, I have made my own envelopes using photos from old calendars. They definitely catch attention when I mailed them.

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  12. I've gotten (sadly) to the point of doing almost no pen, paper, and stamp correspondence. I sometimes grumble at some of my "older" relatives who don't have computers so I can't keep them apprised of what's going on. I tend to pick up the phone rather than write a 'real' letter.

    But I LOVE getting any form of fan mail, and truly appreciate those who take the time to write and pay for the stamp. I will write them back.

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  13. I'm from the old school ~ handwritten notes and thank you cards. The topic of "Handwritten Letters" was my very first post when I joined Women of Mystery in March 2009, and it remains one of my favorites! It includes an excerpt from a handwritten letter from my great Aunt that is hysterical:

    http://www.womenofmystery.net/2009/03/handwritten-letters.html

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  14. I rarely send letters anymore, but I do send thank you cards. It's so much more personal.

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  15. I haven't sent a letter in years. I have written thank you notes though. Even my anniversary cards are e-cards. (I'm not that sentimental.)

    CD

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  16. To me, sending and receiving handwritten notes and holiday cards, etc., is huge.

    If someone "doesn't have time" what they really mean is that I am not valued in their life, so why waste my time in a non-reciprocal relationship? It helps cut the deadwood out.

    I regularly pull 18 hours a day, 7 days a week, so "no time" means "you don't matter" or "I can't manage my time" - none of which are my problem.

    I don't write as many long letters as I used to -- mostly because a lot of communications need to be done in a faster time frame -- but I still have a circle of people where we write letters in and around the email, and things like birthday cards, holiday cards, and thank you notes are valued.

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  17. I’m old fashioned enough that I still prefer thank you notes that are handwritten. However, an email thank you is better than not sending one at all.

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  18. I still send cards vis snail mail to family and close friends. But that's about it. Everything else is done by email.

    And yes, I think electronic cards are kosher and acceptable.

    Stephen Tremp

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  19. I received a card just today. What a nice surprise. I like e-cards, too. I'm sure whatever you do will be appreciated. :0)

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  20. Personally written and sent through the snail mail letters these days are SO special, hmm?

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  21. There's nothing quite like that envelope in the mailbox - at least when it's obviously not a bill! I send thank yous to any students who give me a gift - and they're always thrilled!

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  22. I agree a thank you is a thank you and that someone took the time to write the words means a lot regardless of delivery. That said, I save all the handwritten thank you cards I receive and occasionally look back through them and smile. I don't save email.

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  23. thanks so much for stopping by. I enjoy our visits so much. It seems we all enjoy receiving something in the mail besides than bills. :)
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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.