Be my pen pal!

February 23, 2010 Teresa and Grant

Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company. ~Lord Byron

I have always loved the art of letter writing. The excitement of picking out stationary, of jotting down notes to friends, and of slipping the stamped envelope into the mailbox has always been a special treat for me. Letter writing is almost as exciting as receiving a reply! Looking in your mailbox, you know that the stamped, post-marked, and travel-worn envelope lying there contains warm sentiments from faraway friends. With the modern-day dependence on email and Facebook, communication has never been easier or cheaper. However, I've always thought there was something marvelously special about old-fashioned letter writing. Perhaps it's precisely because it isn't as convenient as email or Facebook that receiving a letter in the mail is so special. You know that the person who sent you the letter actually took the time and effort to give you something nice. They felt that you were worth the trouble.

I have loved writing letters since I was a little girl, but being in England so far away from home has made me appreciate the practice even more. It means so much to receive letters and care packages from friends and family. Every time I open an envelope or a package, it feels like I'm receiving a little piece of home. I've sort of been in a letter-writing frenzy in the past few weeks. I have sent little gifts to my family and letters and postcards to my friends. They have graciously reciprocated and I have kept every single item they have sent me, as you can see from the photo. In fact, I have saved every letter, postcard, package, and birthday card I have ever received since I was six years old. I keep them all carefully bound and contained in shoe boxes in my closet at home.

I'm always looking for new pen pals, so if any of you would be interested in a letter correspondence with me, I'd be glad to swap letters with you from England! If you are interested, just email me your mailing address at teresacgarcia@yahoo.com. I'll be sure to send you something special in the mail soon!