A letter from a foreign land is like water to parched lips
This saying was inscribed in an arch in the old GPO. It's ironic that today we celebrate both world postal day and world mental health day. To me they go hand in hand.
As I child I remember rushing to the mailbox after the postman made his rounds, opening the door with anticipation and my delight to find an envelope with my name on it. At Christmas parcels wrapped in brown paper and tied with string were truly the world's most favourite things.
Today instantaneous messaging and imaging is the norm. The art of letter writing is left to bills and fliers, the spam of the postal world. Parcels arrive to the minute thanks to Fedex and DHL.
While emails are easily deleted or buried deep in the inbox, a hard copy written long hand can be held, pinned onto a mirror or slipped under a pillow as tangible proof that someone cares. If receiving a letter from a friend is one of the sweetest things in life Andy Rooney then sending a letter is like going somewhere without ever moving moving anything but your heart. Phyllis Theroux
Covid creates ongoing social isolation and a sense of loneliness. This week I invite you to put pen to paper by making a deliberate connection. For every gift (letter) from a friend is a wish for your happiness. Richard Bach.