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Writing A Letter Is The Best Gift Of All

My parents had a nice tradition at birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas to not give material gifts–they wrote each other poems  (sometimes accompanied by funny little cartoon drawings).  I realize now that that gift is worth so much because it required time and love–no talent necessary!  And the notes didn’t have to be for a special […]

Writing To An Estranged Son

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash To my estranged grown son:
     I’m writing this because we could never have this conversation in person. I just want to let you know how I feel about you and to tell you some of the things that often feel too awkward to say.  I know our […]

A Dying Mother’s Letter To Her Daughters

A friend of mine sent me this link and I wanted to share it with you.  Julie expresses herself so beautifully and with practicality that I find inspiring: Julie Yip-Williams’ Letter To Her Daughters If you want to read more, Julie’s memoir, The Unwinding of the Miracle, is available to read. If you want to […]

Yad Vashem Launches Online Exhibit – Last Letters From The Holocaust: 1944

This website is a historical treasure of letters and photos.  Nothing I can write here will do justice to the emotions this online exhibit creates in the viewer. Last Letters From The Holocaust:  1944   Luigi and Anna Ventura 1927 — Photo from Ya Vashem Document Archive After looking through the exhibit, I feel stronger […]

The Goodbye Letter You Write Can Be Any Length

Photo courtesy of Simeon Muller and Unsplash.

Recently I received a phone call from Jasmen who needed help writing a short “goodbye love letter” on her brother’s gravestone located in another country.  Tragically, he died while he was waiting to come to the United States to be with the rest of his family.  Jasmen wanted something that would give others a sense […]

A Letter’s Purpose Can Be As Simple As “Thank You For Being My Friend”

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This letter arrived with no explanation in my IN BOX.  What I took away from reading this is that a letter can heal the writer whether the recipient receives it or not.  Please read on (names have been changed): Dear Sunitha, This is the first letter I can remember writing to you. Obviously, I don’t […]

Many People Can Ease Grief By Writing A Letter

Recently, American poet Donald Hall died at the age of 89. Writing was part of his DNA. Hall wrote poetry, memoirs, plays, short stories, magazine articles and children’s books. But he also wrote letters. Donald Hall wrote two books about the painful experience he had dealing with the death of his wife, poet Jane Kenyon. […]

A Letter From Reece

This came across my desk a while ago.  I thought it was a beautiful letter and wanted to share it.  This shows that a letter doesn’t have to be written by a poet or professional author.  This shows that a letter doesn’t have to be physically delivered to the intended recipient.  Little Reece says it […]

Glen Campbell’s Wife Writes An Open Letter In Response To His Death

Back in the 1980s I was fortunate enough to meet Glen Campbell in person–in a green room before an interview.  He had his guitar and asked me to sing with him.  Now, EVERYONE knows EVERY word of EVERY song of Glen Campbell’s, but I was so nervous I couldn’t remember many.  I was so embarrassed, […]

My Last Letter To Kim

Photo courtesy of Kim’s family It’s been one year since I wrote my last letter to my college friend, Kim. It’s taken me one whole year to post it.  Now I understand why some people don’t want me to post their letters–it’s very personal.  It’s very vulnerable.  It seems so inadequate and I don’t want […]