June 29, 2024

Think about who will receive your letter.  The term “letter writer” is a descriptive and clear name for someone who pens a message to mail to another person.  For the one destined to receive that mail, though, the identifying words are more passive and vague, like “addressee”, “reader”, “recipient” or “intended”.  Since letters relate the writer’s stories, information and sentiments between two individuals, we propose the more apt title of “listener” be employed for the person who will receive your letter.  When you imagine your letter to be read by a listener, it elevates the value of what you write. 

The value of a personal letter is evident in the reaction one feels upon seeing a hand-addressed envelope amidst the sterile documents and/or glossy advertisements that flood the post.  As you sort through the impersonal envelopes left in your mailbox, one hopes for something to rise above the humdrum of routine bills, solicitations, catalogs and ads.  Upon opening a personal card or letter, you are ready to focus on the contents.  

One easy beginning to writing letters is to add your own words to the message preprinted on greeting cards.  Usually, one takes care when selecting a card, assessing the image or artwork that adorns the cover and then reading any inscribed words to be sure they match what you hope to convey.  Careful card selection already implies the connection to your listener.  By adding comments or emphasis to a pre-written verse, your message becomes more of a story and your “listener” senses more of a connection to you.

If it’s been a while since you’ve penned a letter, consider adding more than your signature to the cards you send.  Even though handwriting is less than the perfect graphics that are printed on the card, the person who reads and listens to your words will likely read your personal addition first.  

We have a variety of donated cards that you might choose to write to your listener.  Stop by to select a card or to write a traditional letter with our stationery.  As usual we offer everything you need. We will stamp and mail all letters written at the market.

[2024-06-28 updated]