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I never wrote much before starting to write this blog about ten years ago. As I detailed in my book Stories from Candyland, my job before that time involved being a wife and mother, running businesses and doing charity work, but never having to truly sit down and write anything. It wasn’t until starting the blog that I fell in love with writing. It was scary at first. Exposing my thoughts meant exposing my true self to a large audience. But by writing this blog and my books, I found I was able to connect with so many people. That is the power of the written word.
During this scary time, I’ve been thinking a lot about writing and how we use it to connect to each other. Sure, Zoom, Skype and FaceTime are all amazing tools to connect with our loved ones on a daily basis. But they can be exhausting sometimes, and nothing can really substitute for in-person conversations. So how can we still connect on a meaningful level without staring at a screen all the time?
Let’s start writing letters.
I remember getting sweet letters and love notes from Aaron when we were married. He was a great writer and made even the simplest love note feel extraordinary. Opening these letters would make my heart soar and reminded me why I loved him all over again. There is something about seeing these beautiful words written on a page that made it even more special.
Writing letters is a perfect way to show your loved ones how much you truly care about them. Sitting down for a telephone call is still wonderful, but taking the time to put pen to paper and share your thoughts is a different thing altogether – and it always feels meaningful. Plus, who doesn’t like getting a surprise in the mail!?
Writing a letter can also be a relaxing experience for the writer. It takes your eyes away from screens, allows you some moments of stillness and time to reflect on the ones you love. And the letter you write doesn’t have to be 3 pages long! Even a casual note with a few lines is enough to let someone know you are thinking of them.
I still have the love notes Aaron would send me. One in particular stands out. It’s from an anniversary many years ago and the note only contains two lines (and four postscripts!). It’s simple, but it’s a reminder of the love we shared, and I cherish it dearly.
Staying at home during this uncertain time is hard – especially if you are away from your loved ones. We are all trying our best to stay connected and feel loved even from a distance. Sending a letter is a wonderful way to show someone you care. And when this pandemic is all said and done, your loved ones will have physical reminders of the bond you have and the love you share which they, too, can cherish for years to come. What could be better than that?
