For the month of March, each day I am writing and posting a slice of my life, hosted by Two Writing Teachers.
March Slice of Life Challenge Day 29: The Letter
"Mom! You got a card or something in the mail today!" Isaac, my thirteen-year-old, announced as he brought in the mail.
I practically hurdled off the couch with excitement.
"I did?" I asked, amazed in thinking about who would have taken the time to write and mail me something. It wasn't my birthday. No one sent cards for Easter, and that was still a few weeks away.
Sure enough, it was a real letter. Not even an advertisement disguised in letter format. It was a tan envelope. My name and address were handwritten in writing I recognized but couldn't yet place.
I fingered the envelope, tracing my fingers over the back, and I suddenly noticed by the return address that it was from my childhood friend and pen pal, Ellen! Quickly, I brought the envelope into the bedroom and closed the door, ensuring that this letter would only be for me.
"Surprise! I wrote you back!" Although I followed Ellen on Facebook and Instagram, we hadn't personally connected over a year. I hadn't received a snail mail letter from her since we were in college.
For the next small chunk of time, I savored Ellen's words from her letter - personal updates and inside jokes we created decades ago. I reread her letter twice, thinking about how special it was to get a handwritten letter from her today.
Mail is magical. I cannot wait to write Ellen back.
I love this! Handwritten letters really are the best. And her card is gorgeous. Makes me want to write a letter or two... maybe when this challenge is over.
ReplyDeleteI love handwritten letters and they come so infrequently. I feel that we've lost something quite lovely. How fun to hear from your pen pal. And I agree with you that "mail is magical," especially real mail as I define letters.
ReplyDeleteMail really is magical. I wish I had more people's addresses. I ought to start sending mail. I know that I would certainly find it special to get something in the mailbox besides bills!
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