Thank you @Elizabeth H. Cottrell for the beauty of today’s #Heartspoken newsletter, the book recommendation and for the lesson in the importance of writing “Forever Letters.” Throughout the years I’ve written both of my children letters at various milestones in their life. I remember writing one letter to my daughter as she was headed off to college. I pulled out my best writing paper at the time, pale pink résumé paper, and expressed how incredibly proud I was of her accomplishments, but more importantly, how proud I was of the woman she was becoming. I sealed the envelope and left the letter on her dresser.
That evening when she arrived home, she found me in whatever room I was in, and gave me a big hug and told me she loved me. She then asked what font I had used. Finding this comical, I repeated her question back to her in a serious but somewhat bemused way, “What font did I use?” She told me the letter was perfectly written and scrupulously neat but she had never seen that font before on her computer. At that moment, I realized she had never seen a full page of my handwriting; she had only seen a few words written at the bottom of her birthday cards! We had a laugh about it, but I realized then the importance of writing what I now know are Forever Letters.
I recently wrote my son a Forever Letter, expressing how proud I was of him for the man he had become and for being so diligent in his church attendance, dedication to Christ, for his many volunteering activities and for having a kind and compassionate heart toward everyone he met. He was moved by the letter and proud to have something like this in writing, even more so than me telling him verbally the same things.
As I get older, and as I’ve recognized the value and meaning others find in my written correspondence, I think about the legacy I want to leave. I recently wrote a church member a heartfelt letter as he and his wife head off to the mission field in another country. In the letter, I expressed my appreciation for the impact he’s had on my son and so many other young men in the church by mentoring each one and discipling them through one-on-one weekly meetings, where they talk, do Bible study and practice scripture memorization. In the letter, I expressed my hope that when he feels homesick, mine might be one of the many letters he can pull out and remember what an enormous impact he’s had and know how much he and his wife are loved.
As I was listening to your Substack newsletter tonight (THANK YOU for reading to me! Your voice is so kind and loving), I even remembered the many letters I wrote my parents as a teenager, when I wasn’t bold or confident enough to speak with them face-to-face about things that were important to me. I was taught to honor my father and mother and to respect my elders, so when they made a decision I disagreed with or when I wanted to voice my opinion but I was too shy to express myself face-to-face, I put my opinions and thoughts respectfully in letter form. I made poster paper sized Birthday and Easter cards for them.
It was only after my dad passed away in December 2001, that my Mom called me to their bedroom, pulled open my dad‘s sock drawer and showed me he had kept every single letter I had ever written to them from the time I was maybe 13–14 years old until I was grown and living on my own! I had long forgotten these letters, cards and whatever issues I had with their decisions, but again, I realized in that moment as a 39-year-old, how much these cards, notes and letters had meant to both of them, but especially my father, whom I was more like personality and temperament. He was sentimental like me.
Elizabeth, I agree totally with Becky S., that you always find a way to capture your audience and have an impactful and easy to understand message, and I share the opinion of Vicki P. that you are the voice for the importance of written communication and thoughtfulness.
I’m so glad you’re here. You embody compassion, kindness and inspiration always. We need you more than you know 💟💟💟
Thank you @Elizabeth H. Cottrell for the beauty of today’s #Heartspoken newsletter, the book recommendation and for the lesson in the importance of writing “Forever Letters.” Throughout the years I’ve written both of my children letters at various milestones in their life. I remember writing one letter to my daughter as she was headed off to college. I pulled out my best writing paper at the time, pale pink résumé paper, and expressed how incredibly proud I was of her accomplishments, but more importantly, how proud I was of the woman she was becoming. I sealed the envelope and left the letter on her dresser.
That evening when she arrived home, she found me in whatever room I was in, and gave me a big hug and told me she loved me. She then asked what font I had used. Finding this comical, I repeated her question back to her in a serious but somewhat bemused way, “What font did I use?” She told me the letter was perfectly written and scrupulously neat but she had never seen that font before on her computer. At that moment, I realized she had never seen a full page of my handwriting; she had only seen a few words written at the bottom of her birthday cards! We had a laugh about it, but I realized then the importance of writing what I now know are Forever Letters.
I recently wrote my son a Forever Letter, expressing how proud I was of him for the man he had become and for being so diligent in his church attendance, dedication to Christ, for his many volunteering activities and for having a kind and compassionate heart toward everyone he met. He was moved by the letter and proud to have something like this in writing, even more so than me telling him verbally the same things.
As I get older, and as I’ve recognized the value and meaning others find in my written correspondence, I think about the legacy I want to leave. I recently wrote a church member a heartfelt letter as he and his wife head off to the mission field in another country. In the letter, I expressed my appreciation for the impact he’s had on my son and so many other young men in the church by mentoring each one and discipling them through one-on-one weekly meetings, where they talk, do Bible study and practice scripture memorization. In the letter, I expressed my hope that when he feels homesick, mine might be one of the many letters he can pull out and remember what an enormous impact he’s had and know how much he and his wife are loved.
As I was listening to your Substack newsletter tonight (THANK YOU for reading to me! Your voice is so kind and loving), I even remembered the many letters I wrote my parents as a teenager, when I wasn’t bold or confident enough to speak with them face-to-face about things that were important to me. I was taught to honor my father and mother and to respect my elders, so when they made a decision I disagreed with or when I wanted to voice my opinion but I was too shy to express myself face-to-face, I put my opinions and thoughts respectfully in letter form. I made poster paper sized Birthday and Easter cards for them.
It was only after my dad passed away in December 2001, that my Mom called me to their bedroom, pulled open my dad‘s sock drawer and showed me he had kept every single letter I had ever written to them from the time I was maybe 13–14 years old until I was grown and living on my own! I had long forgotten these letters, cards and whatever issues I had with their decisions, but again, I realized in that moment as a 39-year-old, how much these cards, notes and letters had meant to both of them, but especially my father, whom I was more like personality and temperament. He was sentimental like me.
Elizabeth, I agree totally with Becky S., that you always find a way to capture your audience and have an impactful and easy to understand message, and I share the opinion of Vicki P. that you are the voice for the importance of written communication and thoughtfulness.
I’m so glad you’re here. You embody compassion, kindness and inspiration always. We need you more than you know 💟💟💟