In a world dominated by instant communication, I recently embarked on a nostalgic journey with my daughters, introducing them to the age-old tradition of having a pen pal. With an enthusiastic tone, I shared, “When I was your age, I had what we called a pen pal! We exchanged letters, and despite never meeting, we developed a friendship. We shared our likes and dislikes, asked each other questions, and sometimes even included stickers! Imagine the thrill of receiving a personal letter in the mail!” Unfortunately, as my 7-year-old stared at me blankly, I started to think maybe I had oversold the concept.
However, the expression on my older daughter’s face shifted from confusion to delight. With a cousin in New Jersey, only a few days younger than my younger daughter, I hoped to steer the conversation in that direction. But as I quickly realized, my children have very different interests. While my oldest, Mia, ended up penning a letter to a friend who moved away, my younger daughter, Ella, is still a work in progress regarding the idea of writing to her cousin. Ultimately, a letter was written and sent off, which I considered a small victory.
I admit I was surprised by how much effort it took to engage my daughters in the pen pal concept. What seemed like a quick explanation turned into an hours-long endeavor, from my initial pitch to finally placing the letter in the mailbox. You might wonder if my kids are glued to their screens, with smartphones or social media accounts. While they have Skyped a few times via my laptop, the answer is no; they are currently devoid of phones and text messaging. So, it wasn’t that they were dismissing the charming notion of snail mail—they simply weren’t as intrigued as I had anticipated.
This made me ponder the relevance of letter writing today. In a society where technology reigns supreme, the necessity for handwritten communication often feels obsolete. While I appreciate the conveniences of modern communication, there’s something uniquely special about receiving a letter that isn’t just another bill or a catalog. The joy of replying to a letter has always held a special place in my heart. But, as we navigate our tech-savvy lives, I can’t help but wonder: has the art of writing letters become a lost tradition? Would a letter from a friend get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of daily life?
Even at their young ages of 7 and 10, my daughters aren’t overly busy. Yet, it’s uncertain if the pen pal concept will resonate with them long-term, or how much value they will attach to it. Regardless, I’m grateful to have introduced them to the beauty of letter writing. Even if they only exchange a single letter, I hope they’ll experience that delightful moment of joy when they discover a letter from a friend awaiting them in the mailbox.
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In summary, while modern communication tools dominate our world, introducing my daughters to the joys of letter writing has been a rewarding experience. Whether they embrace the concept or not, I cherish the hope that they will discover the unique joy that comes with receiving a personal letter.
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