• About
  • Submissions
  • Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Story Warren

Kindling Imagination for Kingdom Anticipation

  • Fostering Imagination
    • Valuing Imagination
    • Parenting
    • Faith & Vision
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Music
    • Movies
    • Interviews
    • Lists
  • Warren & the World
  • For Kids
    • Poems
    • Stories
    • Songs

Rediscovering the Art of the Handwritten Letter

March 9, 2015 by Julie Silander 17 Comments

I shuffled through the pile of mail – the usual biodegradable white noise – that was to be skimmed and then promptly discarded. I paused. An unexpected, tiny piece of artwork was tucked in amongst the bills and advertisements. Elegant swirls applied by pen, not laser jet, adorned a simple beige envelope. A ragged-edged picture of hydrangeas had been carefully selected from a magazine and glued onto the envelope’s bottom right corner. It was underscored with words from Emily Dickinson. Words scribed from a lilac fine-tipped marker. After considering (then dismissing) my to-do list, I carried the unopened letter and a hot cup of tea to my “reading chair” in the living room. Far more than only correspondence, the letter had been written with great care and thoughtfulness. It deserved my full attention.

Sometimes the Maker reaches down and kisses us with the flaming red leaves of autumn, the earthy breath of a puppy, or the tranquil sound of Bach being played on the cello. That particular afternoon, our Creator whispered to me through a lovingly-crafted, handwritten letter from a friend.

We owe much to the handwritten letter.

For example, if there had been no letters:

~ We would know very little about the heart, mind, and art of Vincent Van Gogh.

~ A substantial portion of Scripture would be absent.

~ We may have only a fraction of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. The relationship with her mentor grew from a series of letters written between the two, the first in which she was inquiring, “Are you too deeply occupied to say if my verse is alive?”

What life and hope is awaiting to be shared through a letter that’s yet to be written?

The art of letter writing isn’t lost – it simply awaits rediscovery. What a gift we can give our children by inviting them to value the handwritten letter.

I had the great privilege of spending an afternoon exploring the art of letter writing with a group of bright-eyed girls. We turned cigar boxes into stationary boxes. We created personalized stamps to be used for wax seals (“I just read about sealed letters in a book about Harriet Tubman,” chirped an eleven-year-old). We copied templates to be used for creating envelopes out of craft paper, magazine pages, or scraps of wrapping paper. A proper set of (beautiful) tools inspires creation.

Consider inviting the children in your life to spend an afternoon playing in the playground of letter writing. Pull out the paper and markers, old magazines and glue, and whatever else would be fun to incorporate. They won’t only be writing letters – they’ll be developing the habit of using creativity to bless others.

In addition to friends and family members, try writing to:

~ The author of a favorite book. It will be an encouragement to author, and your child will become more deeply invested in his own personal library.

~ A missionary, local political leader, librarian, policeman, mailman, or anyone else who lives a life of service. Our children will grow in gratitude.

~ A pen-pal. If you’re child doesn’t have one, find one. The reciprocal nature of the pen-pal relationship keeps the excitement of giving (and receiving) a letter alive.

When we take the time to put pen to paper, to share words that connect and bless, we partake in the celebration of what it means to be human. And we invite another to join us.

 

The Way I read a Letter’s – this –
‘Tis first – I lock the Door –
And push it with my fingers – next –
For transport it be sure –

And then I go the furthest off
To counteract a knock –
Then draw my little Letter forth
And slowly pick the Lock –

Emily Dickinson

IMG_9623

Letterly books that you may enjoy:

Letters to the World by Emily Dickinson

Letters to Children from Beatrix Potter by Judy Taylor

Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien

Letters to Children by C.S. Lewis

 

A few snippets from our letterly afternoon:

 

IMG_9662

 

IMG_9638

 

IMG_9667

IMG_9685

IMG_9657

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Julie Silander
Julie Silander
Julie has an affinity for old books, good coffee, and Tookish adventures. You can read more from Julie at https://greenertrees.net/blog/
Julie Silander
Latest posts by Julie Silander (see all)
  • A Few of My Favorite Things - February 1, 2021
  • The World Needs the Class of 2020 - June 22, 2020
  • Books for Boys – A Show and Tell - February 5, 2020

Filed Under: Fostering Imagination

Get Story Warren in Your Inbox

Comments

  1. Helena Sorensen says

    March 9, 2015 at 7:29 am

    This line: “They won’t only be writing letters – they’ll be developing the habit of using creativity to bless others.” Agh! This is so good.

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you, Helena. It’s an honor to watch these kiddos bloom, isn’t it?

      Reply
  2. Sharon Frazier says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:27 am

    Julie ~ this is so lovely. Thank you for the inspiration.

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 9, 2015 at 12:31 pm

      Thank you, Sharon

      Reply
  3. Laura_Peterson says

    March 9, 2015 at 10:00 am

    I love letters! “84 Charing Cross Road” is another great letter-ly book.

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 9, 2015 at 12:32 pm

      Oh good – I’ll have to look that one up! Thanks.

      Reply
  4. Patty Sommer says

    March 9, 2015 at 12:48 pm

    Words coming in letters……there aren’t too many things better than that! I love the idea of encouraging the next generation of letter writers, and I’ve already marked the links to my wishlist 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 10, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks, Patty!

      Reply
  5. Amy Marie says

    March 10, 2015 at 10:10 am

    I love this!!! I am a fanatic about real letters and cards! What a fun idea for a children’s activity! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 10, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  6. Lyssa says

    March 11, 2015 at 2:18 pm

    Beautiful! How did you make the stamps for sealing wax? I’ve always wanted to do that! I love writing letters to friends and family.

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 23, 2015 at 11:54 am

      We did make the stamps. We used a circular cookie cutter (size of a quarter) to cut out a small circle of modeling clay. Then we took an ornate metal button (purchased at Walmart) and pressed the back of the button into the clay. Once it was dry, we super glued the flat side of the modeling clay circle on to the end of a wooden handle. Our family had recently visited the Louisville Slugger museum, and at the end of the tour, they allowed you to take the nubs that were cut off the ends of the baseball bats when the process was completed. We used those wooden nubs for the handles, but you could use just about anything that is of similar size and is easy to grasp. Hope that helps.

      Here’s the video we followed:

      https://youtu.be/uchW8ZzOwDs

      Reply
  7. BeccaJean says

    March 12, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    I just received a letter from a friend this afternoon. The kids outside playing, I made myself a cup of tea and got lost in my friend’s life for a few minutes. It was wonderful. Moving away from friends is hard sometimes, but opening the mailbox and seeing her handwriting is pure joy! Our kids have have enjoyed being pen pals also. 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 23, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Indeed. There is nothing quite like a letter from a friend.

      Reply
  8. Loren Warnemuende says

    March 19, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Julie, how did you guys make the personalized stamps? Clare is intrigued and I’d love to do this with her and Ev.

    Reply
    • Julie Silander says

      March 23, 2015 at 11:55 am

      Loren – Thanks for asking. See my comment above. If you make one, please share pictures!

      Reply
      • Loren Warnemuende says

        March 23, 2015 at 11:03 pm

        Thanks Julie! I’m thinking this might be a fun project over Easter break.

        Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Get a Free Audiobook + Story Warren in your Inbox!

Sign up for our weekly Warren & The World and get The Black Star of Kingston audiobook for FREE!

Join us on Facebook

Story Warren
  • Latest Posts
  • Store
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2012 - 2025 Story Warren, LLC · Site by Design by Insight

Copyright © 2025 · Story Warren on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in