Writing letters

I feel very sorry for an aunt who writes letters to DBH, he barely glances at them. I read them and tell him the abbreviated version. He says his eyes are no longer willing to try to decipher slightly illegible handwriting, he prefers his news typed. I have to admit that it wasn't an aspect I had previously thought of.

I'd like to see this skill/art encouraged everywhere, especially with the younger generation. I have one almost-five grandchild who lives very nearby but, prompted by another thread here recently, I've begun to send her postcards whenever I see a great picture. She loves getting them and I hope she'll send some to me sometime soon.

Yes, I do think it's worth the time and effort to send a letter. They are personal and timeless and show you care. I've got a stash of letters written by my in-laws during their 1930s courting days and some from my late son which are, of course, truly precious. You can't really keep text messages can you?

I was never very good at writing informal letters. I can write a cracking business letter but chatting in writing just never came naturally to me until emails and texts came along. Suddenly I could write without the restrictions of grammar.

The trouble is, Stillhere, is that a whole generation are going to find it too time consuming (ie hardwork) to read a handwritten letter or anything that is longer than a few sentences. And handwriting will deteriorate. I think its a shame to lose the written record from our future history but also as a day to day form of intimate communication. Call me old fashioned...

I love your idea of the postcards mollie. I recently sent some photos, accompanied by a short letter to one of my DGS, and apparently he was thrilled to bits, as he's never received a proper letter before. I was wondering how to continue and the postcard idea is brilliant!

Yes,i love the postcard idea too,dgc are 2 and 3 so will start that in a couple of years time.

I sent cards to each of the 3 yr old GC this year with pictures that would interest them, and wrote a bit about them on the back which I knew their Mums would read to them. I will make it a habit to send postcards. I know one of the GC will be encouraged to write thank you letters in the future but I imagine my other daughter will get her son to phone. I have a friend whose presents are never acknowledged. I feel, more fool her ! That's so rude and hurtful. Her daughter explains it as their being sooo busy.

I'm glad the postcard idea is catching on. Kids love getting something in the post and they get to collect the postcards to make into a book (or pin onto a board). I also send postcards to my dear friend now that we can't talk on the telephone any more. He had dementia but delights in lovely pictures so I add a few words that are read to him in the hope they will mean something. Texts just wouldn't do in this situation either.

Yes postcards are probably the best way now, thanks for the support Mollie!
My main problem is that my handwriting is now very untidy. It never was anything special. Maybe I'll change to printing instead of "joined up."

I think you've started something here, mollie! I'm going to dig out some fun postcards to send to my DGS too. It's a lovely idea, but I'd never thought of it.

If I'm starting a trend I'm very glad!

As for the handwriting, practice does make a difference. I've written a journal for decades but in recent years typed it. The effect on my handwriting was awful. A year ago I returned to writing every day by hand and guess what? My scrawl has turned into a rather nice hand. Give it a go...

Every now and then I send my two GC 8 and 6 either a long letter with drawings dotted throughout or I make up little books, nothing complicated, with jokes, drawings, I have been known to do the odd word search, join the dots. And it's lovely to get the replies through the post instead of the usual junk and bills.

Another lovely idea!

I write to an elderly relative who lives abroad once a month. I keep the letter on-the-go so I can add interesting things as they happen. I usually include the latest family photos. She does use email but is not comfortable with it and says she likes to carry the letters in her handbag.
When I was growing up my mother instilled the art of letter writing in me by getting me to write her weekly letter to her mother. I see my GC twice weekly but I'm pleased to say that they still email me and write thank you letters.

Also send postcards, mollie. Ours love them. It's the only post they get. Sad but how it is. They don't mind my horrid handwriting. Think it makes then feel better about their own.

I have written to my 2 grandsons since they have been toddlers , postcards,letters which I used to illustrate with drawings and stickers.Now they are away at school - I send food parcels which always include a letter or funny card (sometimes a fiver!) etc. Do they appreciate them yes I know they look forward to receiving them and their friends always comment on the fact that they get something in the post and not texts/emails/Skype etc. Do I get any replies - no and after all this time I don't mind but sometimes,just sometimes it would be nice to get a reply. I now have a close family relative working in the States so now I am writing to him and sending him comfort parcels. I do however get the odd email back from him thanking me.

I think I wrote on here that I had 'googled' my old home in London, and found it still standing - I wrote to the people who live there - I always type, because I find holding a pen gives me cramp, and I am inclined to write really long letters when once I get going. I received a lovely hand-written letter back from the person now living at my old address, thanking me for getting in touch, and being really interested - almost immediately after that I had a letter from a long standing friend, older than me, and once again beautifully hand-written, it almost made me feel ashamed of my hand-writing, but there again, if it is difficult to read, people will get tired of reading it, so that is my excuse. I am inclined as I say to get carried away when once I start, even with texts and e-mails.

Oh so nice to see you posting PRINTMISS you have been missed and several people have wondered where you were.

Welcome back PRINTMISS

Thanks, ann life became a little hectic here - we had new floor covering laid, and decided to turn everything round and out - did ourselves no good what-so-ever. Should know better. We are fine now. Thanks again.

Good to see you Printmiss - how is your son doing now?
You were worried about him a few months ago.

I have got an old typewriter from the charity shop where I work. I bought a new ribbon for it which I found on the internet and it was not cheap.

My two 12 year old DGCs love it. They love the fact that what is written is already on the page and can be cut out and passed around, they love to type tickets for what wrongs we have done and we get them and have pay fines. After they have gone home I sometimes find pieces of typewritten paper under the bed and enjoy reading their secret correspondence.

If you like writing letters then send them, I do.

I'm thinking of volunteering as a Silverline letter friend which involves writing two letters a month. Just need to complete the application from, the process can take in excess of twelve weeks!

Thanks for the welcome back, - TriciaF our son is fine now, thank goodness, just hope something like that does not happen again. What a lovely idea that is schelseababy