Many of my readers know I’m passionate about the practice of writing personal handwritten notes. Over the years, I’ve had enough positive feedback from recipients of my notes to know they often make a difference. I believe they make a difference whether I’m acknowledged for them not, because the gesture of taking pen to paper, giving time to thoughtfully compose a note, adding a stamp, and taking it to be mailed all adds up to one beautiful message:
I’m thinking of you and you matter to me.
Two recent examples support this conviction.
One was a good friend who battled cancer long and hard over a period of years. Every few weeks, I’d send him a note of encouragement. Sometimes it was more of a letter, but usually a fairly short note. Others who lived closer did so much more for him than I ever did in the way of visits, meals, and supporting his family. After he died, I told his widow how helpless I’d felt and how much I wished there had been more I could do for him. “Oh no, Elizabeth,” she said, “He kept a basket of notes right by his chair, and often I’d see him re-reading one of yours. They meant the world to him.”
Another was a dear friend from church who, for quite a few years has been taking care of her sweet father, raising her pre-teen granddaughter and very young grandson, and working to support the family. After her father died, she pulled me aside after church. “Elizabeth, I just have to tell you that I was cleaning out the house this week and sorting through all the cards we’ve received over the last couple of years. It seemed like every other one was from you! Some were to Daddy. Some were to me. Some were to the children. I re-read every one and it was like getting a hug from you all over again.”
Now here’s the kicker: I don’t really write that many notes!
I go days without writing notes. Then I might write one note and the next day I’ll write several. But since so few people write personal notes, when I do write one, the recipient remembers it, because they aren’t receiving many personal notes either.
“Last year the typical home received a personal letter about every seven weeks, according to the annual survey done by the post office,” reports Stacy Anderson in a 2011 article for the Huffington Post. “As recently as 1987 it was once every two weeks. That doesn’t include greeting cards or invitations.”
Here’s the bottom line: Every personal handwritten note you write will stand out. Every one makes a difference. Every one will be remembered…and cherished…and re-read.
You know you love getting them yourself. Why not send a little love by mail today?
[stextbox id=”info”]Did you know I carry a top-quality line of personalized stationery from Carlson Craft? One of my favorite notecards is pictured above. Order some today at http://heartspoken.carlsoncraft.com/ .[/stextbox] For more inspiration on writing personal handwritten notes, use the “Heartspoken Topics” finder in the sidebar and select “Notewriting” from the drop-down menu. Here’s my favorite fountain pen – a Waterman Charleston. The one I use every day is cream colored.
Margaret
Nice post, Elizabeth, and very true. I always feel I don’t know what to say in notes. Several years ago one of my cousins passed away. While I sent a note to his widow, I also sent a note to his brother, who had a strained relationship with many family members, and I found this note especially difficult to write. When I next saw the brother about a year and a half later, he pulled me aside to tell me how much my note had meant; I was the only one in the family who wrote him. I was stunned. You just never know when something is going to really touch someone.
Elizabeth Cottrell
Oh, Margaret, I am so grateful to you for sharing this experience, because it is the perfect example of what I’m trying to convey. People will remember that they received a note from you long after they’ve forgotten exactly what you said.
Sometimes, when I’m stuck or feeling awkward about what to say, I’ll just be honest and say, “Words are so inadequate, but I just wanted to reach out with a hug by mail to let you know I’m thinking of you.”
I’m proud of you for acting on your instinct to write to this cousin’s brother. It clearly was the right thing to do.
April Moore
I agree, Elizabeth. I have always loved receiving hand-written notes. And, increasingly, I take pleasure in writing them. Thanks for this lovely posting.
Elizabeth Cottrell
Thanks for commenting, April. I know the notes you write are treasured, because you write so beautifully.
Esther Miller
Thanks for the jog, Elizabeth. I put a fountain pen on my wish list for Christmas and it might as well have been a slide rule or an adding machine. Needless to say, I did not get a fountain pen for Christmas and I have failed to buy one myself. I had one I used for years in college and nothing ever felt better or wrote more smoothly. I must get one again. Maybe its sight and feel will prompt me to write more notes.
Elizabeth Cottrell
I find it really helps to have a fountain pen I love to use, Esther. Be sure to go somewhere that lets you write with it first, though, because so many are scratchy or just don’t fit your hand.
Pamela
Yes, I totally agree that our handwritten notes stand out to the receiver. I often make my own notes, using my own photograph, and then order a dozen or so through a site like Tiny Prints. Makes the note even more personal.
Elizabeth Cottrell
Oh, Pam, I love this idea! I have never been that creative, but you’ve inspired me to claim my inner artist and give it a try. My friend and amazingly talented artist Ellen Fairchild-Flugel is always sending notes she’s created herself, and they’re all precious!
Karen R. Sanderson
The bills and junk mail take care of the cobwebs, but I would welcome a note any time!
Pam
You’re on! I’m sending you my latest – let me know what you think. 🙂
Karen R. Sanderson
You are so right about handwritten notes. And it’s sad we get one (average) of every seven weeks! I don’t think I get one that often. I do know that when I see an evelope, handwritten, I smile. So, yes, I think it makes a difference. I am getting my notecards out right now!
Elizabeth Cottrell
Karen, you are already better than most at writing notes to people. And clearly, I need to send one to you and get rid of those cobwebs in your mailbox! 🙂