[First Day of Issue MaxiCards]
"A Letter is a Joy of Earth -
It is denied the Gods".
~Emily Dickinson, 1885
There was no Monday Mail Out last week as I didn't write any letters. Yes, it's true! Such a rare event, I must admit, and completely out of routine!
It was SJ's 31st birthday, and the quick getaway we took to the beach was in celebration of it, and there was simply no time for letters when I was flat-chat busy sitting on the beach with a book in my hand eating cake, and doing a whole lot of nothing (often referred to as "relaxing" - or so I am told).
Therefore I felt I needed to be extra diligent the weekend just passed, ensuring I returned to my usual routine and write three letters, all of which were to be posted this morning. But as "Monday Luck" would have it, they're still sitting on the mantel piece in our dining room. Of course I realise that no one can read their letters if they are sitting above our fireplace, so I'll have to make a special trip to the post office this evening instead.
I have been writing letters for more than half my life (seriously, I started when I was 7yo), and during that time I've have the odd correspondent disappear off the radar, either by choice or just through a bit of bad luck, but I've never probed for reasons and so have never been told. Despite this disappointment, letter-writing as a whole has been a wonderful experience that I still enjoy immensely, and I honestly could not imagine my life without it. I am constantly learning about the world and the people in it, have met some truly amazing people, and have made many long-lasting, irreplaceable friendships as a result.
However, one of the letters I spent a significant amount of time writing over the weekend will not be going out at all, as when I got into work this morning and checked my emails I had a message from its intended receiver explaining that she was "taking a break" from letters and could no longer write me, which has roused in me a ponderment:
How does one respond to being "dumped" as a correspondent? Should I be angry and hurt, or sympathetic and understanding? Do I take it personally and wonder if I am boring and unlikeable, or do I fob it off as just "one of those things"?
I figured I needed cheering up. So, I toddled off down to the post office in search of some postal goodies, and ended up deciding on the First Day of Issue MaxiCards pictured above, the price of which includes postage to anywhere in the world. I take this to be a sign that I should send them to people, so I will: If you'd like to receive one of these cards with a little note from myself on the back, please leave a comment. I will send one card to the first 3 people who leave a comment, regardless of location.
I'm feeling better about myself already!
Written correspondence has been a hobby of mine for a long time, & Monday Mail Out is a weekly feature whereby I can share my love for the lost art of letter writing. I hope my experiences will encourage others to send out letters on Monday too, and have them rediscover the joy of sending and receiving mail. If you have a blog, feel free to join in.
I would love a maxicard, esp. the woman with the instrument if I am allowed to choose.
ReplyDeleteI admit I have a hard time when a correspondent suddenly just stops writing with no explanation at all. I feel much more sympathetic if they give some kind of explanation. Life is pretty crazy these days and it's easy to get overwhelmed. But I think our writing friends are due this courtesy even if it's only a brief note. I do try to understand on the chance that they really can't write at all. Sometimes I will write and express my concern for them hoping they will respond. Sometimes it works but too often it doesn't. I guess that's one of the chances one takes in a long distance relationship.
Oh, I am sorry about your friend that you were corresponding with, however I am happy to hear that you were able to relax and enjoy yourself over the weekend! it is sweet of you to offer to write to people, regardless of their location, I would love to get a little note from you :)
ReplyDeletei hope you have a wonderful week, with lots of letters in it ;)
xo