International Letter Writing Day!

Monday, September 1st is International Letter Writing Day! In this time of digital communication, handwritten correspondence can feel extra-special. It's a deliberate, mindful act. Unlike texting and emailing, letter writing isn't about speed or efficiency anymore.

Will you be celebrating letter writing day? You may choose to write to someone whom you miss, admire, and love. Somebody to whom you're grateful. Perhaps you'll join a penpal group. Or write a letter to your future self. Or another type of letter you do not intend to send.

Did you notice the local letter writing program at the Thorold public library we mentioned last week? This is one way we, as a community, can connect with our elders.

When did you last receive a handwritten letter? Would you like to receive one? You can make someone's day by writing them a letter, but chances are high you'll also be doing something wonderful for yourself in the process. The intentional act of crafting a thoughtful letter is great for our memory and overall brain health. It can also put us in touch with our emotions.

Handwritten letters have an innate romantic quality to them. Perhaps this is why they're often used as a device in many stories about love and intrigue.

Some modern productions have centred around letters and the post. There are even some that are based on real-life stories. Last year's movie, Wicked Little Letters starring Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley comes to mind. Also from last year was the tv mini series, Mr Bates vs The Post Office about the outrageous but true story about postmasters in the United Kingdom.

Books about Letters

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Letters by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
As Always, Julia: The Letters of Julia Child and Avis DeVoto by Joan Reardon
The Brontës: A Life in Letters by Juliet Barker
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
Jane Austen's Letters
The Complete Letters of Oscar Wilde

Movies about Letters

Beaches (1988)
Atonement (2007)
Dial M for Murder (1954)
The Color Purple (1985)
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Letters to Julia (2010)
You've Got Mail (1998)
Mary and Max (2009)
Klaus (2019)
Persuasion (2007)
The Notebook (2004)

Handwritten letters give us ample opportunity to personalize our message. From the papers we select to the ink colours we choose, we can create many unique treasures to travel through the post. A few items you may wish to consider to give your envelope and its contents some personality include: