Letter, February 2026

February 2026

Dear Mom,

I recently taught a new class that you would have loved. It is thanks to you that I could teach the subject—letter writing! As soon as I learned to write, you insisted that I write thank you cards to anyone who sent me a gift. I loved it! All you had to do was give me a notecard with a kitten or flower on it, and I was happy to write.

In fourth grade, we learned how to officially write letters—where to put the date and address, how to begin and later sign the letter, and how to indent the paragraphs. Then we got penpals from some other school in the US and started our first correspondence. It was so fun to write to someone my age that I would never know in person.

When some of my friends moved away, I started writing to them so we could stay in touch. When my close friend moved to Switzerland, I got to write on aeorgrams. Receiving mail from Europe was very exciting.

I lived with a wonderful family in Segovia, Spain, when I was a junior at Ohio Wesleyan from 1971-72. Nearly sixty years later I am still in close contact because of our exchange of letters.

Best of all, as a family we all stayed connected through our correspondence. From the time I was 18 and left for college, until I was 68 when my brother died (50 years!!) we exchanged weekly letters. I still have some from you, Dad and Charlie, tucked away. Three days after Charlie died in 2020, I got a letter in the mail from him. I will always treasure those letters.

Writing hundreds of letters to you during eight years after you died suddenly transformed my deep grief into a loving reconnection with you, along with a true sense of hope and joy. I love writing to you monthly now. So many happy memories resurface.

Thank you for teaching me the importance of letter writing. We have lost this art in our society today but I will do whatever I can to reignite interest. Letters keep us connected to family and friends, so we do not feel isolated or alone. Letters bring joy and help us express our gratitude. Letters help us release grief from the heart and bring back memories. Letters are a blessing in our lives. I am so grateful you taught me that by your own example of writing to your sisters, to all of your friends and to me.

Love,
Helen