Last Christmas I was opening gifts with my family, and I came to a card that a friend made for me. A beige, homemade envelope held two folded pieces of plain, lined notebook paper that fit perfectly in its sheath. Of course it did; this piece of paper was meant only for this envelope, and this pocket was meant only to hold the specific letter inside of it.
On each line there was penned notes of well-wishes, kind words, mentions of old memories and little smiley faces dotting the upper and lower margins. The signature closing the note matched the cursive on each line that preceded it. And as usual, in closing it read “with love…”
I opened that correspondence a year ago, and still, it sits atop of a pile of many cards and letters in my desk drawer. After each birthday passes and after Christmastime winds down every year, the stack of letters grows, and yet, the notes without bar codes remain on the top whether they are old or new.
The messages with typos and uneven lines on plain paper hold my attention and keep me coming back to read the personal notes friends and family have shared with me. Somehow, a sentiment whose origins are found in a writing utensil appear far more honest than those which came from a computer and printer.
Simplynoted.com notes the positive effects handwritten letters have on those who receive them. The article points out the ability of these personal notes to show others more affection than premade cards. Additionally, the website reports handwritten messages are often held onto for an extensive period, during which they can have a far greater emotional meaning to the recipient.
Reading a card full of references only the reader and the writer can relate to creates a sense that, though two people may be apart, their stance is fully represented in both content and appearance on paper. Some great writer whose mass-produced greeting cards easily sell for $5 cannot create nearly the sense of comfort and affection that a friend, writer or not, can supply with a simple handwritten letter.
What about the writer though? Does he or she enjoy benefits enough to make the extra work worth it? Letter-writing is said to frequently make the writer feel accomplished and connected to others, even when far away, according to Weliahealth.org. Additionally, the rewards of regularly handwriting a letter are numerous, with Psychology Today citing improved fine motor memory, faster learning and the infrequent activation of certain specific regions of the brain (when writing in cursive) as possible outcomes.
Spending additional time and effort writing a letter is also a special and effective way that we can show the love of Christ to others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
If we are to spread our light into darkness and encourage other followers of the light, then why would we delegate letter-writing to those whose cards anyone can purchase at Target or Walmart? There is no reason to buy premade messages if you have a pen and paper at home.
Last Christmas I opened a letter, a simple piece of paper with simple sentences upon it. I received a few cards that Christmas, but this one I remember. I know that my friend cared enough to spend time creating something specifically for me because the product of time and care was staring me in the face.
This Christmas, as we are all pulled in many directions to parties, vacations, etc., let us slow down and take the time to craft personal messages to those we love. The gifts that we give and receive will be forgotten, but lines of personal penmanship will not soon become distant memories.
Kilker is the opinion editor for the Liberty Champion