How Much I Miss Those Handwritten Letters

Technology has changed lives. Chitrangada likes the old ways of communication, but also loves to explore the many advantages of technology.

Letters of my Grandfather

Among the many old boxes and files,

Which needed to be compiled,

I found a bundle of old letters,

Written affectionately, by my grandfather,

At once, I went into the flashback,

The sheer joy of finding the pack,

Of opening those handwritten letters,

Cannot compare with the e-letters,

How I used to check the wooden letter box,

Each day, after coming back from school,

And a smile spread on my face,

To find those lovely letters,

I replied the letter with a Smiling face,

In my imperfect cursive writing,

And imagined, how grandpa would smile,

And point out my mistakes, in his next.

The Tenderness of a Handwritten Letter

And those lovely letters, sent by my parents,

Full of love, affection and preachings,

I have preserved them like treasures,

They are tender to the touch,

And make me feel,

Their presence around me,

So peaceful, so reassuring.

Letters are sent even now,

But perhaps, they do not carry,

The gentle warm feelings,

As much warmth and emotion,

As those precious handwritten letters.

Chitrangada Sharan

The First Stamped Letter: Fun facts

The First handwritten letter was by Persian queen, Atossa around 500 B C.

The first stamped letter we know today, came into being, in the reign of Queen Victoria in 1840.

Before this date, letters and envelopes did not have stamps and the receiver had to pay on its receipt.

Letters were folded with wax, hand seal or ring.

Reference: http://handwrittenletters.com/history_of_handwritten_letters.html

Why it’s important to write a handwritten letter, source: YouTube

The lost art of writing letters, Source: YouTube

© 2017 Chitrangada Sharan

Comments

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on August 04, 2020:

Thank you Vanita for reading the poem and sharing your personal experiences.

I can relate to your nostalgic thoughts.

When, there were no computers or mobile phones, I enjoyed writing letters and receiving letters from my loved ones. I have preserved their letters, as precious memories. They remind me of the wonderful moments spent with them.

I am glad that you liked the poem. Appreciate your kind words and support. Thank you.

Vanita Thakkar on August 04, 2020:

I have always loved letters. I had a scattered schooling due to my father's transferable job. So, keeping in touch with old friends was through letters. Also, when my elder brother and I were in secondary school, we preferred to stay at our home town while Pappa stayed at his work place to ensure smooth, uninterrupted education to both of us. In those days telephones were not there. And letters were the only means to stay in touch.

I still have some of my father's letters preserved .... Quite a few letters from friends are also there. I love taking them out sometimes and reading them ....

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 14, 2019:

Thank you Lora Hollings, for reading and sharing your valuable thoughts about handwritten letters. I completely agree with your views. We must try to inculcate the habit of writing letters in the younger generations, so that it doesn’t become a lost art.

Thank you so much for commenting. Much appreciated. Have a great weekend.

Lora Hollings on December 13, 2019:

This is such a beautiful article! I love your poems describing the warm and lasting sentiments that we get from reading letters from our loved ones whether they be from our parents, grandparents, sisters, an aunt, uncle or our children. They make life so much sweeter and richer! I take such consolation in reading letters from my sister who has now passed away. Vivid thoughts about her wonderful sense of humor, imagination, and the times we spent together come back to me as if she were still here. Letters bring back those memories that we cherish and it's a good thing for us to write letters to those that we love, as one day they will also help bring back beautiful memories to our children and grandchildren.

What a shame that it is becoming a lost art. We need to keep this wonderful form of communication alive. It leaves such a lasting imprint on our hearts and souls!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on September 22, 2019:

Thank You Ericdierker, for visiting again. Always a pleasure to hear from you.

Have a great day.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on September 22, 2019:

Thank you so much Abitha, for sharing your thoughts on this poem.

I am glad that you liked it and found it relatable. I have preserved the letters of my dearest elders, who are no longer around. I am deeply attached to the words of love and blessings showered by them, in those letters and feel their presence even now, by means of those handwritten letters.

Thank you for reading and commenting.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on September 20, 2019:

Yahoo, I left this on follow and it reminded me to write one today. Thanks again.

Abitha from Chennai, Tamilnadu on September 20, 2019:

Chitrangada,

This poem triggered so many good memories. I do agree, handwritten letters are like photo albums that one pores over whenever we get nostalgic I guess, at least that is the case with me. I treasure the letters I have received from my family while in a boarding school and also from friends whenever I have moved. They have a magic all their own!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 19, 2017:

Thanks Dianna for reading and commenting on this poem.

Yes those handwritten letters contain the warmth and emotions of our dear ones, which is somehow missing from the e-letters. I find my collection of letters so comforting at times.

Thank you so much for expressing your thoughts.

Dianna Mendez on December 18, 2017:

There is just something about getting a handwritten letter that warms the heart. I still have all of my mother's and read them now and then. It brings back warm memories every time.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 13, 2017:

Thank You Anusha for your wonderful comments and appreciation of the hub!

You beautifully described the emotions, involved in writing a letter by hand. I really enjoyed writing and receiving letters. They are my precious possession even now. Especially the letters from my grandfather, my parents and of course my husband.

Many thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts on this subject!

Anusha Jain from Delhi, India on December 13, 2017:

Handwritten letters had their charm undoubtedly. I loved mine and have preserved them. The handwriting somehow had the power to capture and preserve a lot more than just words. The mood & the then temperament of the writer could be felt in the letters. This is just impossible but for the tone of the emails today. The words that were written in hurry were easily separable from those written with a lot of thought and emphasis in multiple sittings. You have created an aura of nostalgia with your hub :)

Have a great Day :)

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 10, 2017:

Thank You Madan Ji for appreciating the hub!

It’s sad really that we don’t write letters these days. Even I don’t remember, when was the last time, I wrote a letter.

Appreciate your visit and comments!

MG Singh emge from Singapore on December 09, 2017:

Thanks, for a lovely hub. I lost the habit of writing letters after I got hooked on the keyboard. Haven't written a letter for last 10 years

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 08, 2017:

Thanks Sonam for sharing your thoughts on this subject! I agree with you—handwritten letters can’t be replaced.

I would love to receive a handwritten letter from you.

Thanks again:)

Sonam on December 08, 2017:

Still believe in this concept and write letters ! Nothing can replace the happiness you get when you receive one!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 05, 2017:

Thanks Devika for reading and commenting on this article!

Handwritten letters are history now. I have preserved some, written by my loved ones.

That would be interesting to know, what next?

Thanks once again and good day to you!

DDE on December 05, 2017:

I do have a few handwritten letters. So much has changed that handwritten letters are rarely seen these days. It makes me wonder what is next?

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 02, 2017:

Thanks Peggy Woods for reading and commenting!

Glad that you still receive handwritten letters from your friends. This is indeed special, because handwritten letters and cards have a personal touch.

Appreciate your kind visit and thanks for sharing your thoughts on this hub!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on December 02, 2017:

My friend from Germany still sends lovely informative handwritten letters and we have a friend from Dallas that does the same. Those are normally the only two we occasionally get in the mail these days other than cards like birthday and Christmas. They are really special!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 01, 2017:

Thank you Manatita, for appreciating the hub!

Glad you liked it.

These handwritten letters are my precious possession, and sometimes I read them again and again, for motivation, affection, and reassurance.

We need it anytime, at any age—that is our elders Blessings.

Always a pleasure to read your encouraging comments! Thank You.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 01, 2017:

Thank You Ericdierker for sharing your thoughts on this subject.

How nice that you say it with handwritten cards! I love this and I still have preserved those birthday cards, congratulation cards and other cards, sent by my loved ones.

I like writing with pen on paper, but my handwriting is not good. I remember getting remarks from my teacher, ‘improve your writing.’ :)

Appreciate your comments and thanks!

manatita44 from london on December 01, 2017:

Looks cool, those letters and what a sweet feeling they give! I used to write them but alas! No more. My 76-yr old aunt still writes them. What a joy! I liked the tenderness with which you approached this work. Salaam!

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on December 01, 2017:

This is lovely. My youngest is 7 and sadly is sick and cannot attend school today. So he wrote his teacher a letter that mom is delivering right now. I am looking at a couple hand written "letters" on my desk.

My family normally does it with cards. It seems more fun that way. About half write in cursive.

I just have never liked to "write". So my letters are "typed", printed and mailed.

And thanks for the reminder I have a few thank you notes to write and get Christmas cards ready to send.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on December 01, 2017:

Thank you Linda for sharing your thoughts about handwritten letters.

Yes you are right- these letters are precious and bring back sweet memories.

Appreciate your positive feedback on this hub! Thank You.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on November 30, 2017:

I still have handwritten letters sent to me by family members when I was a child. They are very important to me because the writers have died. Thank you for creating this hub, Chitrangada. It brought back happy memories.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2017:

Thank You Threekeys for your kind visit and comments on this article!

It’s good that you still receive handwritten letters from your close ones. I agree with you that they are filled with warmth and sentiments. This is somehow lacking in the modern means of communication.

Thanks for suggesting the website. I will check this out.

Have a blessed day!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2017:

Thank you MsDora for sharing your thoughts on this article!

I agree with you that many sentiments were involved in handwritten letters. They seem to be missing in the emails or text messages. We read them and forget them, sometimes even delete them.

My grandfather, my parents were very regular in writing letters to me. And I can’t explain, how it encouraged me in everything I did, while away from home. Sometimes it made me smile and at other times it made me cry.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2017:

Thank you femi for stopping by! Appreciate your thoughts.

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2017:

Thanks Catherine for your kind visit and comments!

I agree with you. The handwritten letters were written with affection and feelings, which is lacking in emails or text messages. We read them, forget and even delete them. They are not capable of leaving an impact in the mind or heart.

Appreciate your positive feedback!

Chitrangada Sharan (author) from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2017:

Same here, billybuc! Even I can’t remember the last time, I received those handwritten letters.

I have preserved many of my letters, written by my closed ones. I was also prompt in writing to them. That time is over, never to return—Sad!

Thanks for reading and sharing your views on this article!

threekeys on November 30, 2017:

I hope you inspire more to put pen to paper.

I love the handwritten letters I still receive from my pen pals in Europe. They are full of warmth, feelings and character that keep you alive and close to your people far across the waters.

If you want to handwrite letters to spread more love and care in the world just go to this lovely website www.moreloveletters.com

Take care (smile)

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on November 30, 2017:

Chitrangada, so many sentiments in the handwritten letters which we cannot get from any other form of communication. I miss them too.

femi from Nigeria on November 30, 2017:

I miss those days

Catherine Giordano from Orlando Florida on November 30, 2017:

An Ode to Handwritten Letters. The world needs more poetry and more hand written letters. With an email, you can't even be sure who actually wrote it. And there is no personality. It's a lovely poem.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 30, 2017:

I really can't remember the last time I received a real handwritten letter. Kind of sad, really. They were always so meaningful.