A blog for anyone who understands the joy of writing and receiving handwritten letters.


Thursday, July 1, 2010

Letters from strangers

Up until recently, I only ever wrote to people I knew. And the letters I occasionally received were also from people I already knew - my friends and family.

But one of the lovely side-effects of beginning this blog is the letters that I am starting to receive from all around the world. They just turn up unannounced, looking sweet and inviting, in my mailbox - and I love it!

Here is one from the UK. The envelope is handmade and I think it looks gorgeous:















And this one arrived from the USA, with lots of pretty stamps peppering the envelope:











I thought I might feel odd about getting letters from strangers, and then wondering what to write back to them... but it actually feels very normal and natural. In fact, using the word 'strangers' feels wrong. Friends I haven't met yet? New friends? I can't quite put my finger on the right turn of phrase. But I feel that the reason it doesn't feel weird or awkward is because we already have something in common - we love letters - and because the letters are written with goodwill and a generousity of spirit.

When I get emails from strangers, I turf them in the spam folder and hit delete. But when I find handwritten mail in my letterbox from strangers, I smile... knowing I'm about to make a new friend.

Have you written to me yet? I'd love to hear from you.

Love from Kaz








2 comments:

  1. You know, I haven't written to you yet, but perhaps next week,when I'm up visiting Smithyland. ;-j

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