The Lost Art of Letter Writing

     I found some treasures not to long ago among some of Aunt Glendine Lewis Curles belongings.  A collection of cards, scripture readings and handwritten letters.
     Aunt Glendine was a letter writer.  While living in Norfolk VA in the 1940’s to 1980’s, she would take a moment and sit at her writing desk to send out a quick note to her cousins, friends, brothers, sisters and mother in Lowland, NC.  Her handwritten letters would be filled with how she was doing, what was going on with her church, job and community and when she would be visiting again.
     Something struck me when I read these letters.  Letter writing has become a lost art!  I think back of all the voluminous correspondence I have received the past year.  If I discounted work-related emails and the articles I have wrote for the Goose Creek Island Journal, how many of my emails would exceed 50 words or more? How many of them would quote bible scripture or a closing word of goodwill or blessings?  How many of them would actually provide a personal glimpse of my life other than a history of a date and time I could confirm for a meeting or visit?
     I love email.  It’s brilliant speed to convey a message, it’s global reach throughout the world, and the vast amount of information it can transmit has certainly made it the most convenient mode of connecting with people.  But how much have we sacrificed?
     While going through some of Aunt Glendine’s things, I also found some handwritten letters that she had received.  Uncle Roscoe Rice (her brother) had sent her a short note; a note to lift her spirits as she was dealing with Julian's (her husband) illness.  What is most eloquent about Uncle Roscoe’s letter was how he closed it.  You can feel the sibling and spiritual connection brother and sister shared for one another.

     I hope the art of letter writing has not died with her and Uncle Roscoe's generation.  I fear that when today’s generation thinks of letter writing, they will think of the technology that will help them generate their letter.  But hand writing a letter to a friend, a cousin, or a parent is unique.  What more personable way is there to keep an historical account of our lives other than writing a letter?  Certainly “updating one’s status” on Facebook can’t replace the deeper connection we have with those we love.  Isn’t there still value in a handwritten letter?