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Friday, 16 December 2011 16:13

Written by ellen neumann

19 Comments

GOT A LETTER FOR ME,

by Ellen Neumann
Sullivan County, New York –
13^th December 2011.

My first experience with the written word was one of excitement and wonder. My Nana Margaret was an Irish-American NY City girl. She was transplanted to Sullivan County, NY when she married a land rich, cash poor, country farmer [my Pop, Tom Dillon] in 1919. She wrote letters weekly and faithfully to her far away siblings, cousins, aunts and friends.  Those letters were her lifeline to the ones she loved dearly and forever.  Her penmanship [does anyone even remember what THAT means?] was gentle, small and flowing; her words warm,  newsy and welcomed by those who received and coveted her letters.  Each day she would watch for the mailman to come, knowing that someone had written a letter to her in return.  She treasured each and every one of those letters, read and reread them, smiling and sometimes shedding a silent tear.  Those letters were wonderful and personal.  They tightened the ties that bound her to her loved ones.  They helped her to endure a life that was sometimes difficult and lonely. Nana’s letters were my first window to the big world “out there”.

As a child I decided that I would like to write and receive letters myself. I started by writing to my city relations, knowing they would answer me for sure. And they did! Little by little I expanded my horizons by adding a “pen pal”, a girl whose name and address I got from my 6^th grade teacher [Sr. William Eugene]. My “pal” was named Paula and she lived in Florida. Through our letters we learned about each others’ lives, families, hopes and dreams. Florida seemed so far away yet her letters brought it closer and made it real. It was wonderful, magical and fun.  I learned one could make things come to life by writing them in a letter, an epiphany! I also learned that one had to keep up her end of the communication in order to receive the ”Holy Grail” which was of course a letter in return.

As a young wife and working mother, I continued my love affair with pen, paper and ink.  I discovered the wonderful world of greeting cards, a way to continue my quest for written communication.  A card is a beautiful thing. I could buy them for all occasions, adding a small note or enclosing a long letter and reap the reward of getting many in return. I could express myself with tons of underlines and exclamation points. I could cross stuff out if I wanted to and create the occasional little drawing to make my point.   Oh How I Love To Send and Receive Mail!  Nothing quite compares to it, certainly not the emails and texts that have become a staple for most of us in the fast paced whirlwind cyber world we live in.

I love the internet with its capabilities and its wonders, truly I do. It has opened avenues to me that I never dreamed existed. Yet emails do not and never will replace the thrill of watching the mailman put a letter in my mailbox.  The colorful stamp from a foreign land or from just around the corner; opening my letter to see “Dear Ellen” written across the top in a gentle, small and flowing handwriting; these things are an utter joy to me! I treasure each and every little note, card or letter that I have ever received.  I feel proud of the fact that I have carried on my Nan’s tradition of communication through the written word.  Smiles from heaven, I can feel them…

Oh! Here comes the mailman! Wonder how many Christmas cards he has for me today? Let’s go see…………….

Copyright © 2011, DPNLIVE – All Rights Reserved

Comments  

 

+4 # Martin 2011-12-16 18:27

Nice letter EL.Also I must say I like the font and graphics too!

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+3 # 2011-12-17 07:07

O Ellen,
i did love writing letters, but my hand writing is not the best but i to had a pen pal, but with a computer it is not the same that is why i say, this my way of been a penpal with out the pen lol
i love your letter here each time they come out
love & {{{hugs}}}

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+3 # 2011-12-17 14:08

I am also enjoying your articles. I will send them out to the rest of the St Joseph's Mountain School women. Best wishes for a lovely Christmas and Healthy happy New Year. Thanks Ellen
Maryellen Rudolph

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+2 # Sandra 2011-12-17 15:35

Excellent article Ellen! The Art Of penmanship is essential to out daughters learning experience. They are both home schooled and very computer savvy. For fear of losing the Art of penmanship to this computer generation They are encouraged to develop their own particular style of writing. To each person the art is unique and beautiful. P.S. It's not been an easy road, simplicity sometimes tries to win out. But the Mighty Pen and Paper shall prevail ^^)

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+4 # gmawen 2011-12-17 16:24

Great article El. I remember writing many letters in my youth. wonder why I got away from that? I agree, the texts and emaills don't come close to replacing the personal touch that a letter brings. I'm thinking, since we have such a hard time getting together, that I'll sit down today and write you a letter! Watch that mailbox!

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+2 # 2011-12-17 17:38

Great article Ellen!

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+2 # 2011-12-17 17:39

Nice Article Ellen, well done!

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+2 # 2011-12-18 15:00

Dear Ellen,
I still love to use a pen, but I hand write documents all day long and my hands are sore at times.
But still...writing is a beautiful thing. Penmanship will probably be taught as a nostalgic art form someday! If you send me a mailing address, I will be happy to send you a Christmas card!

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+2 # 2011-12-18 18:23

I love it Ellen!!!! well done...as usual. I love your letter!!!!

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+1 # 2011-12-19 02:08

Ah the richness of handwriting. Yes indeed, there is more to handwriting than the cookie-cutter fonts of the computer.

Alas, I was always a bit envious of those with the good handwriting. I felt inadequate when people saw my poor penmanship - and probably stopped reading whatever it was that I had written.

You could read things into those pen-pal letters that would not be present in an email.

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+1 # 2011-12-19 18:06

Nice Ellen.

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+1 # 2011-12-19 18:07

Nice Ellen

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+1 # 2011-12-19 18:36

Wonderful article. Brought back memories of my Mother who had the most beautiful penmanship in the world. I remember her trying to teach me the "Palmer Method" of penmanship. Thanks for stirring up such wonderful memories. I still love putting pen to page!

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+1 # 2011-12-19 18:49

There is nothing like the written word, sadly now letter and card writing is not as popular, like you Ellen I love writing, and have started a record book of my life for my Grandchildren, my Grandmother was a great writer of poems, letters and cards, yes emails are very handy, but in years to come we will not have them to look back on, some of my most treasured possessions are letters and cards, from those who are now in Heaven. Thank you for reminding me how priceless these are,

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+1 # Carolanne 2011-12-19 19:38

Ellen, I too had a grandmother from New York who married my farmer grandfather, on my Mom's side! I think your letters are wonderful, they always seem to trigger, great past childhood memories, thank you so much! I was not much of a letter writer, I was more into outdoor activities, but I loved photography. Have a great holiday season. Carolanne

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+1 # Kieran 2011-12-19 23:28

A real nice letter Ellen! I havent sent or recieved a letter in years but like one of the above comments my handwriting was not good to put it mildly so nobody could read it!!

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+1 # julesrules 2011-12-20 13:35

Great piece Ellen , my Mam is the letter writer in our family & sends cards for ALL the family birthdays
I stated to send real christmas cards to my online friends a couple of years ago , as it so much fun to get stuff thru the post & a thrill to think of my cards on their journeyMerry Christmas to you & your loved ones Ellen xx

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+1 # babs55 2011-12-21 21:17

You certainly take after your Nan,and I love receiving letters,usually get long ones in Christmas cards catching up with 12months gossip from friends far and wide, I eagerly open them to see who has been doing what and where. have a Merry Christmas mt friend. xxx

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+1 # vnpiper 2011-12-28 18:55

Lovely article, Ellen! I too, treasure the handwritten letters and cards from past and present, even as my collection threatens to take over yet another box. But the cyber letter also has its place: look how many people you were able to reach in this venue!

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