Thoughts about writing letters

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Yesterday while I was walking home, a man came out of the post office just ahead of me and opened and started reading a letter as he walked. By the time I had caught up with him he had stopped dead in the path, oblivious to me or anyone else on the street, reading intently. I could see the letter was hand-written. As he devoured the words, a little smile played about the corners of his mouth. I walked on, smiling too.

Earlier this week I saw a segment on The Project on Channel 10. They were talking about Australia Post and the cost of sending mail. After showing the segment, Carrie Bickmore told the panel that she had recently read a letter that one of her grandmothers had written to the other, several decades ago. It was beautiful, Carrie said, and it highlighted why snail mail would still have a place in our lives today, and tomorrow. “Nobody is going to keep an email I send.”

The STUNNING blue-and-gold letter in these pictures is from Maria, a truly generous and talented woman from Mexico. Maria is a writer, and a literature professor, and in her letter she told me about her cat, among other things. From her simple and heartfelt words I feel like Maria is already a kindred spirit. I can’t wait to write back to her.

I posted a photograph of Maria’s letter on Instagram yesterday, and a friend of mine in Sydney left a comment that her grandfather used to send them all mail-art. She’s going to try and get hold of some envelopes that her mother has kept from the 70s and 80s to show me. Even 30, perhaps 40 years on, the love and care he put into decorating his letters to his children and grandchildren is still physically manifest, and able to be shared and loved with and by others.

I declare today the International Write A Letter To Someone You Love Day. Who’s with me?

12 comments

  • Kate @ One Small Life

    I have boxes full of letters written to me over the years, mostly from when I was travelling in my twenties and would write to all my friends. It wasn’t always an easy thing to do, send and receive mail whilst moving around in foreign lands, but it was part of the adventure, visiting some beautiful post offices, working out where to get your mail delivered and wondering if your travelling friends were in one spot long enough to get your letter.

    And they are wonderful keepsakes. I really treasure them and I’m so grateful I travelled in the era before email, Facebook and mobile phones.

    In fact I spent some time in Mexico at that time and your friends letter and especially the friendship bracelet she included really took me back there.

    Letter writing is a wonderful thing. And I’m looking forward to getting back to it this year. x

  • Sandra F

    I am absolutely with you. x

  • Emily@squiggleandswirl

    Snail mail brings joy, there’s no doubt about it. I have had a lovely snail mail week this week, each time I have found a lovely letter in my letterbox I have opened it before I walk down our short driveway to the house, I’m always smiling and my daughters admire the art, the goodies and the care and time taken. I think they are a tiny bit envious. Actually as I typed that I had the best idea I’ve had all week. I’m going to send them each a snail mail letter,decorated and filled with bits and bobs and lots of love. Thanks for the inspiration Naomi,
    Emily x

    • Naomi Bulger

      You’re so right Emily, good, loving snail mail brings SUCH a smile when it arrives. I love your idea! I’m going to steal it and write to my own kids, too. xo

  • Carly Findlay

    That is an amazing piece of mail art!
    I used to have pen-pals. We sent each other articles and posters of the bands we loved in our teens. I sent her Silverchaie stuff and she sent me Savage Garden stuff. I still have her letters, they’re fun.

    • Naomi Bulger

      Adorable! I remember my first pen pal. We used to ask all the important questions, like, “What is your favourite colour?”

  • Ashlea @ Glamour Coastal Living

    Amazing Naomi! I just stumbled across your lovey works for Pip #52Hellos. I am such a snail mail fan. I too have loads of handwritten letters shared between me and my late grandparents. So precious and I will always treasure them! x

  • María Emilia

    Hi! This is Maria Emilia!!! I’m so happy to see my little letter in your blog!

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