In an age where messages bombard us and zip through cyberspace at a staggering rate, there is something still quietly powerful about a handwritten letter.
It doesn’t buzz or ping. It doesn’t vanish in a swipe.
It endures— ink on paper.
A handwritten letter carries more than words. It carries presence.
The curve of each letter, the occasional smudge.
In my case, omitted words sloppily crossed out by ink.
The careful choice of paper or pen—these small details speak volumes.
They say, “I took time.”
When is the last time you handwrote a letter? It’s been a while for me too.
Despite the recollections of anyone born after 1990, there was a time before the internet when letters in the mailbox were more common.
It was a slower time. Long distance phone calls cost money and stamps were seemingly cheap.
I remember sending letters to my cousins, post cards home from camp, a pen pal in New York and correspondences from an uncle who was in the service.
These days, the daily mail is relegated to junk mail, political mailers and bills. It’s kinda sad.
Letters slow us down, ask us to reflect.
Unlike instant messages, letters can’t be hastily typed and deleted. Each sentence demands attention.
That slowness is a gift in today’s world. It reminds us that meaningful connection doesn’t always have to be immediate.
It must be sincere.
While I have, admittedly, let the letter writing habit slide; I do maintain handwritten cards to Jennifer and the kids when I travel.
There is something magical about it all.
Last spring, I spent some time in a Brooklyn coffee shop personalizing a post to each of them.
The process alone was therapeutic. Then, I found a USPS box on the sidewalk and dropped them in.
Magic.
“Those will make it home before I do,” I thought. “What array of logistical measures are orchestrated just to deliver those little notes to my home back in Texas?”
It really is quite something.
I also try to maintain handwritten thank-you notes.
They offer several unique benefits that go beyond a quick email or text.
Taking time to handwrite a note demonstrates thoughtfulness and sincerity. It shows you truly value the gesture or gift you’re thanking someone for.
In a world flooded with digital communication, a handwritten note stands out.
It feels personal and rare. It’s more likely to be remembered and kept.
Receiving a physical note creates a deeper emotional impact. It can strengthen personal relationships and leave a lasting impression in professional settings.
Sending a thank-you note is a timeless sign of respect and gratitude—qualities that never go out of style, especially in business or formal occasions.
Unlike emails, handwritten notes are often kept as keepsakes. They can be tucked into drawers, framed, or rediscovered years later.
Who among us still sends physical Christmas cards, thank-you notes to customers or handwritten letters?
All these handwritten practices are going out of style and that is a shame.
Hollywood actor Steve Carell once said., “Sending a handwritten letter is becoming such an anomaly. It’s disappearing. My mom is the only one who still writes me letters. And there’s something visceral about opening a letter – I see her on the page. I see her in her handwriting.”
Do you remember the way you felt the last time you received a handwritten note? Why not share that feeling with a friend? Allow them to see you on the page.
Austin Lewter is the owner and publisher of the Whitesboro News-Record. He is also an instructor of journalism and broadcast at Tarleton State University where he also serves as the director of the Texas Center for Community Journalism. He can be reached at [email protected].