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Blog Entry 44 of 53 Mema becomes a writer
My blog is to discuss reading, to share good books I've read, and to encourage others to read. I will also talk about writing, the joys, the disappointments, and all that goes into writing a magazine article or novels for children and teens. Promoting books will be another topic I'd like to discuss. Getting publicity through the Internet, newspapers, TV, and radio. Using message boards and blogs to tell others about your work. Music too is an interest I may discuss from time to time.

Blog Url: http://wichitafalls.yourhub.com/~beverlyjean

Letters Then, E-mails Now

Contributed by: Beverly McClure   on 2/25/2008

Then:
When I was a teen, we sent bought or homemade thank you cards for gifts received. We mailed birthday, Valentine, Easter, and Christmas cards to friends and family. We signed them with our name and perhaps a note inside telling what we'd been doing. We also wrote letters. On paper. With pen. My favorite letters to write were to my penpals in England, Germany, and Japan. They sent postcards that told me a lot about their city and country, more than I ever got out of a history book. The responses took a week or longer to arrive. My penpal in Japan and I corresponded for many years. He sent me beautiful gifts. See the photos. I sent him Texas stuff, I can't recall exactly what now. But I wonder if he still has any of them. Or am I the only pack rat?

When I taught third grade, one of my students had an aunt who taught in California. My students started writing penpal letters to her class, and it was so much fun to learn about the kids in another state. They sent us California stuff: a book about the redwood trees, along with a sample, and pictures of their class. We sent them bluebonnet seeds, of course, and other items that have slipped my mind. It was a wonderful experience for both groups of children. For this teacher, too.

John Adams, 1765, said "Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." You may have noticed this statement on your postal receipt. Check out the Website to see links to his letters to Abigail Adams. www.poweroftheletter.com

Now:
We e-mail cards for all occassions. Some of them play music; some have little characters that dance and sing. We e-mail letters and can receive a response in a matter of minutes. But the form of the letter has changed. We abbreviate words, or use computer language, except for me because I haven't a clue. I know LOL, and that's about it.

Times change, and I've met some wonderful people in countries all over the world through the Internet. E-mail saves postage. E-mail is faster. But e-mail sent to everyone in your address book is impersonal. So make those messages personal to each individual, unless it's a "fun" thing. There is room for both in our world. An occasional letter or card on paper is a nice touch. Otherwise, future generations won't have the lovely reminders of birthdays, anniversaries, and family memories that only the printed word can bring.

Happy Writing Everyone.


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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
Submitted By: Ann Weyant
posted on 3/5/2008 @ 8:47:36 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Something to be said about the old ways of handwritten letters - Ann
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Submitted By: Beverly McClure
posted on 2/29/2008 @ 6:04:59 PM
(Not Rated)
So true, Mark.
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Submitted By: Mark Clopton
posted on 2/29/2008 @ 12:13:32 PM
(Not Rated)
In the future, when historians begin to write histories of the post 1980's they will find an lack of primary sources regarding the private thoughts of the movers and shakers. As convenient as e-mail is it will make much more difficult to document the thoughts of those written about. We have lost more than we might think.
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Submitted By: Beverly McClure
posted on 2/26/2008 @ 7:21:49 PM
(Not Rated)
I know what you're saying Erin. Our granddaughter is teaching in China for a year, and she keeps in touch through e-mail and message boards. But those occasional cards with their unusual stamps that she mails are priceless.
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Submitted By: Beverly McClure
posted on 2/26/2008 @ 7:19:14 PM
(Not Rated)
It's the thought that counts, Jim. :)
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Submitted By: Erin Micheles
posted on 2/25/2008 @ 9:59:03 PM
(Not Rated)
Not long ago, I found myself standing behind a woman at the post office who was mailing a package to Saudi Arabia. She inquired of the postal clerk..."How many days will it take to arrive?". The postal clerk replied.."I suppose whenever their postal service decides to deliver it"! In that moment, I was reminded of the great, great power of electronic mail, a tool that allows our family to communicate instantly with friends abroad in Germany, Pakistan and India. However, I must admit, when the occassional tangible letter or card arrives from one of those locations, complete with exotic foreign postage, the excitement is tremendous and we feel quite special to be honored with a keepsake that will be treasured always!
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Submitted By: Jim Miller
posted on 2/25/2008 @ 7:51:02 PM
Rated Blog Entry
Well written, Beverly, very well written. Thanks for the reminder, and I'd write a lovely thank you card to you if I could only find the time, a note card, a pen and a stamp!
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Showing 1-7 of 7 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Beverly McClure

Iowa Park , TX

Beverly McClure has posted 53 blog entries and 218 comments since joining on 9/17/2006. Beverly McClure 's average blog rating is 4.71.
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