When was the last time you received a personal letter or card in the mail? Do you remember? In our world of technology, texts and emails have replaced letters, cards and even personal phone calls. But don’t you enjoy the warm, loving feeling you experience when you do receive an unexpected special piece of mail?

I recently read the average person sends and receives 32-50 texts every day and the daily email inboxes range from 30-40. This doesn’t count the professional working correspondence. That is a lot of words being typed! In addition, we now have emojis that can be sent instead of actual words to express a thought or feeling. This technology makes communication lightening fast but I think it lacks the personal touch.

At a very young age, I started giving and sending greeting cards. I remember giving thank you cards to those elementary school teachers I especially liked at the end of the year. I gave birthday cards to friends. I wrote a heartfelt message on a Sympathy card to a friend who lost her Mom when we were only 10 years old. 

Buying that perfect card for someone and including a letter or even hand writing just a few sentences tells that person they are being thought of and cared about. The warmth they feel in their hearts, the tears escaping from their eyes, the laugh out loud giggles, even the tingle of surprise when they retrieve it from the mailbox are all real physical responses expressed when they realize someone holds them dear. 

I believe one of the most difficult trials for anyone —  having to battle cancer. Sadly, I have had family members and so many close friends who have fought this fight. Some have won and some have lost. But it is during the assault that I try to help. I send them a card every single week in an effort to lift their spirits. A few years ago, I had 4 friends battling cancer all at the same time. Every Sunday, I wrote out 4 different cards with personal notes to mail out on Monday morning. That commitment continued for over 18 months. I maintain this practice now and I always will. It matters to people. It helps them if only for a brief moment.

And remember my childhood friend who lost her Mom? She thanked me again, 28 years later at our 10 year high school class reunion. She told me she had never forgotten my kindness and how much it meant to her to receive my card. 

People like of see their name in print especially when it is handwritten. Even the worse penmanship is important when it is used to express love and friendship. Remember the old Hallmark ad, “When you care enough to send the very best.”? I encourage you to do that for someone. Mail or give a card to someone with a handwritten message in it. And because it’s from you, it is the very best!

“Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.”  Romans 12:10 (NLT)

“Love is patient, love it kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)