Did you have a pen pal when you were growing up? I had a really lovely one called Caroline. She was from Northern Ireland and we met when our families were both on holiday in Spain.
I can’t remember much of what we used to write about, but I do remember the thrill of getting her letters. I just loved seeing a pretty envelope or postcard appearing in the letterbox with my name on it.
In this digital age where spam emails crowd our inboxes and social media pings all day and night, a handwritten letter is even more special, don’t you think? There is something so personal, intimate even, about reading a friend’s handwriting. An email just can’t compete.
I had been despairing about all the junky, spam nonsense in my email inbox the other day when Alex got in from work and handed me this beautiful postcard, sent all the way from Helsinki, Finland.
Isn’t it lovely? Even the stamp is beautiful!
My Beijing buddy Aleasha, who has recently relocated to Finland, had told me the card was coming, but it was still such a thrill when it landed. To think it had travelled all the way from Helsinki to Sydney: across the world, from her hands into mine. Isn’t that kind of amazing?
Getting this card reminded me of my other ‘pen pal’, my Gran. We started writing when I was at university, but our correspondence really began once I moved to Australia.
Gran wrote the most brilliant letters (always on blue aerogrammes). She wrote exactly as she spoke and never failed to make me laugh with her stories.
When she died in September last year (at the grand age of 92) I felt so thankful for those 11 years of letters she sent to Australia and later to China (although the postal system foiled us somewhat there!).
They are all tucked away safely upstairs, and now next to them are bundled all the letters I sent back to her. When I read her letters, I can hear her chatting, telling me how gorgeous baby Teddy is, that my Dad popped round to see her on Sunday, that it was fine to use margarine in Welsh cakes, but whenever she was ‘feeling rich’ she’d make them with butter. Those bits of paper are priceless.
I have a little parcel to send back to Finland (it really is little, Aleasha!) and in it is a handwritten note. It’s a bit scrawled, my handwriting is atrocious, but it contains a lot of love and a bit of Sydney sunshine for my friends on the other side of the world.
I’d love to know, do you ever write letters to friends and loved ones? Have you got a pen pal? There are some wonderful snail mail exchanges happening in the blogosphere at the minute. I’m keeping my eye on a couple (especially Sam Dunne’s wonderful Creative Exchange) and would love to take part next time round. x
I’ve actually never had a pen pal, but I always wanted one when I was little.
I remember the time I received a letter from my host family in California (I was a high school student in Japan at the time, and I spent 2 weeks with them to learn the language and culture). All the stories my host mother, Sherry, shared in the three pieces of paper still stay with me to this day. I love the postcard my friend recent sent me from France when he moved back to his home country, and I keep every birthday cards my parents have sent me for my birthday via air mail.
Thank you for such a beautiful reminder, Bex.
xx Yuko
I think living overseas inevitably means more cards and letters from loved ones, Yuko. I really treasure the cards and letters from my grandparents, especially. I should send more cards, but email is so easy! I’m going to try to make more of an effort in 2015 🙂 xxx
Oh I have just got home from Paris and crawled into bed and read your lovely post! I love the story about your Gran. That’s so precious. Emails can’t compete! I think you have your Gran’s knack too as I can hear you talk as you write, as well! So lovely. I’ll try and write more often. Glad you appreciated the wee card!
Beautiful heartfelt writing Bex xx
That is so kind of you to say so! I really miss her letters, but am so happy I have the older ones to re-read. I still haven’t posted your letter! Chances of it arriving before Christmas are slim to minimal. Can’t wait to hear all about Paris xxx
When I was a teen I had dozens of penpals but only one that became a lasting friendship… Cath. We are still in touch and we’ve met a couple of times. (she is in the US and I am in Australia) She blogged about us here: http://starcrost.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/pen-pals/
I put my name and address in a US magazine called Tiger Beat (approx 1982-3) and received hundreds of replies. The postie would deliver mail to me bundled in rubber bands. It was SO exciting. To this day I LOVE a letter in the mail box… the real mail box at our front fence! I still send birthday cards to quite a few family/friends and this year is the first year I didn’t get Christmas cards out (I regrettably resorted to an online greeting – but will be back on track for 2015)
I’ve also kept dozens of letters… I’m a hoarder extraordinaire… Love reminiscing.
Wow Michelle! How awesome! So wonderful that you have kept in touch with that pen friend for all this time 🙂
I have a really hard time throwing away any letter. They are little time capsules – I just can’t bin them! Somewhere in my parents’ attic there is a bag of letters from my teen years that I would love to read through (and no doubt cringe about now).
I am having to make a stand on keeping Christmas cards and birthday cards etc. We just don’t have the room. It breaks my heart to put them in the recycling though! x