The Meaning of Mail

The mailman’s here! The mailman’s here! This could be heard loud and clear as we bombarded down the stairs trying to be the first one to the mailbox. Oh, the excitement of seeing a letter with your name on it! The anticipation of who it could be from! And even if it wasn’t a surprise it’s still so much fun. Getting a letter in the mail almost makes you feel like you’ve “won” something or your name has just been “picked” out of a drawing. It’s amazing how receiving just a simple letter or card can brighten your whole day. I still have such vivid memories of being young that still make me smile. And I STILL love getting mail.

The Thrill of Receiving Mail 

These days sending and receiving mail primarily happens in the form of emails, text messages, messenger, tweets & chats. And it’s certainly an efficient & convenient way to communicate.

However, there is something so special about receiving a letter the old fashioned way. The excitement of seeing a different, personalized envelope sticking out of a pile of bills. The handwriting that’s unmistakably your childhood best friend’s or a family member’s, or the colorful envelope drawings carefully designed by your adorable little nephews that immediately puts a smile on your face.

Mail is a direct connection to a loved one and it sends the message “I’ve been thinking about you and I care about you.” Receiving mail warms the heart & makes us feel like a kid in a candy store. And the act of writing a letter also gives us (as the sender) that warm & fuzzy feeling. It’s fun to get absorbed in letter writing and it’s heartwarming to know that soon-ish after you drop that letter in the mailbox, the “recipient” is going to have that feeling too! 

Mail Before Technology

The vital role that mail played in connecting us before technology (and after smoke signals and carrier pigeons) is pretty vast. The servicemen and women overseas waiting to hear if it’s a boy or a girl. The high-school senior waiting to hear if they’ve been accepted into the school they’ve been dreaming of. The camper who’s homesick and misses their family. And of course voting by mail. And it’s not like we could just hit “resend” if it didn’t arrive after three days. It was just a necessary, special & important way of communicating. 

Let’s Keep it Going

December 7th is National Letter Writing Day. What a great time to reconnect with an old friend, start a letter-writing tradition, or even a letter-writing club. It’s such a special way to spend our time & make someone’s day. I  hope we can all put “pen to paper” and continue this extraordinary pastime.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a letter to write. After I check the mailbox!