On letters; and USPS

In my German class (learning German, that is) we’ve been going over applications for jobs. Many of the people in my class are people that have relocated to Berlin and want to live and work there, and therefore the topic of applying for a job is necessary for them. For me it’s fascinating. I think I might one day live and work in Berlin, or somewhere in Germany, and so learning how to apply to a job is useful knowledge. One thing that differs is the application letter. Rather than a cover letter for a resume, the application letter seems to be really important, and written very formally. It put the idea of letters into my head, and so today, while trying to make my body as inhospitable a place as possible for viruses, I looked over at LetterLover.net, a site I find charming.

I love the idea of letters. I love the idea of holding them and reading them for ages to come. I love the idea of learning about other people through the letters they’ve received. I’ve collected lots of stationery but until now I haven’t made it a point to write letters. Who do I write to? What do I say? If you remember, way back in October, when I found The Postcard Project, I hinted at being inspired to do “baby steps”. Well those steps are coming to fruition: I’ve been sending postcards from Berlin to friends, and soon family as well. (I want to add to my list of people to send postcards too as well, so watch out for that.) I have also since received two cards from The Postcard Project, and have treasured them beyond belief. Other people may look at them and only see odd images, but I see a person trying to make others’ lives better, and my life is better for it.

I hope my own postcards are making my friends’ lives better. I love sharing Berlin, as well.

Back to LetterLover.net — there was a link on an entry to 365 Letters. The goal of the project is for the author of the blog, Carla, to write a letter every single day of 2009. Wow! She will catalogue so much of life, and touch so many people’s lives with her words. What a great idea! It’s almost like the LiveJournal community Embodiment, except that that’s a lot more introspective. This project touches so many more lives. If I had resolutions this year… but it’s still not to late to make New Year’s resolutions, I say. I’m making more all the time.

I love letters and paper; did I mention that yet? However, I also learned from 365 Letters and LetterLover.net that the U.S. Postal Service is thinking about dropping the sixth day from their work week, something I find appalling. It frustrates me how little actual mail receive and send, that the postal system doesn’t get enough money to work all week. All we ever get is junk. What ever happened to beautiful cards and letters and postcards to tell people where we’ve been and where we’re going? Much cheaper hobby than knitting, and right now for me, it’s more fulfilling.

So I’m going to implore you right now: if you are currently a U.S. citizen and in the U.S., please write a letter to the Postmaster General and the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management asking them not to consider this — all the info is in the link above. (I’ll send an e-mail, as I don’t think the letter from Germany will be as well appreciated.) Then write a letter to an old friend or someone you’ve been thinking of, just to say hi. Or send a card. I am certain that person will enjoy it, and maybe even write back. Who knows? You might find yourself with a penpal. (I wish my penpals had worked out as a child! I was always too lazy…) Then in 50 years your grandchildren will be able to learn a bit about you through the letters you’ve received. I love thinking about that possibility, being remembered through letters.