When was the last time you received a handwritten letter -- be it from a friend, a sister, or even a lover? I remember the last letter I received: It was back in 1995 from a dear old friend from high school. My sister was in the fight of her life, for she had just received a diagnosis of inflammatory breast cancer. And all the hope I had I held right there in my hand.
My sister's prognosis was not good; it would be a long road -- a mastectomy, followed by experimental cocktails of chemo and cell transplants. Although her chances of survival were 50/50, she was a born fighter, the sun sign of Taurus, the “bull.”
Catalina Perez
Here we are in 2010. My sister is still with us, cancer free. And that letter….I remember it vividly, because the words lifted off the page as they inspired me and gave me a renewed hope in faith and prayer.
I still have it in a beautiful box, where I keep all the handwritten letters I have received throughout the years.
After 1995, I never received another -- but I did receive plenty of emails. Do I have them still? No!
Sadly, we have the option to delete an email and then regret it. Letter writing is an art form, at least for me. The stationery, the pen you use, the way your penmanship flows: It sings to the heart. The words dance off the page.
Someone sat at their kitchen table or desk and carefully thought out each word, making sure that each letter was legible. The envelope, the stamp, the joy of opening your mailbox, and seeing a personalized letter among all those unimportant bills and catalogs -- how exciting!
The anticipation of tearing that letter open -- you want to read it through quickly AND slowly at the same time. You even read it a few more times before tucking it back into its envelope.
Maybe it’s even scented; an extra bonus!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Now and then, CLIFFVIEW PILOT reprints some of its more popular columns. This one, written in April, generated huge traffic and heartfelt comments.
Oh, the joy of the handwritten word -- so personal, so intimate. I think maybe today I will write someone dear to me a letter! You never know, it just may be you…. Check your mailbox, not your inbox!
Please allow me to share with you a favorite of mine, a famous letter by Ludwig von Beethoven to his “immortal beloved”:
July 6, 1806
My angel, my all, my very self -- only a few words today and at that with your pencil -- not till tomorrow will my lodgings be definitely determined upon -- what a useless waste of time. Why this deep sorrow where necessity speaks -- can our love endure except through sacrifices -- except through not demanding everything -- can you change it that you are not wholly mine, I not wholly thine?
Oh, God! look out into the beauties of nature and comfort yourself with that which must be -- love demands everything and that very justly -- that it is with me so far as you are concerned, and you with me. If we were wholly united you would feel the pain of it as little as I!
Now a quick change to things internal from things external. We shall surely see each other; moreover, I cannot communicate to you the observations I have made during the last few days touching my own life -- if our hearts were always close together I would make none of the kind. My heart is full of many things to say to you - Ah! -- there are moments when I feel that speech is nothing after all -- cheer up -- remain my true, only treasure, my all as I am yours; the gods must send us the rest that which shall be best for us.
Your faithful,
Ludwig
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Kirsy Dominguez
said:
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... Love it!! Makes you think how we have lost so much through all this technology....emails, texts, ecards, etc...these things are just frigid and cold. Can we get back to the warmth and excitement of receiving handwritten letters and cards in the mail? I truly hope so, there is no better feeling. |
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