A Challenge for 2024: Write Someone You Love a Letter

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I saw someone post on social media the other day that when this generation is dead and gone, there will be nothing left behind to tell their stories. No handwritten journals, notes, photographs, or letters and correspondence. The premise of the post was that because everything is electronic, few paper artifacts will be left behind to tell our stories. What captures our attention these days are trending 8-second videos on Instagram and TikTok. Everything is fast: video is cut into 2-second snippets or we lose attention.

But a handwritten letter begs the reader to pause for a moment and read the words…to linger a little longer than two seconds.

There are three things that will always be true about a handwritten letter:

1. A handwritten letter is thoughtful: a great deal of time and energy goes into it. The writer must align his thoughts and words and put them into meaningful sentences, conveying a message to the recipient of the letter.
2. A handwritten letter, by its mere existence, relays that the receiver of the letter is important to the author of the letter. Undertaking this task demonstrates that the author went to the trouble of selecting everything necessary to write it, which includes choosing the paper, pen, envelope, and the way in which it will be written and presented.
3. A handwritten letter becomes a keepsake, a record, and something of sentimental value.

I will not deny that I have a love affair with handwritten letters. I have included them in several of my books, and they are featured most prominently in my most recent release The Letters in the Books. The title gives away my affinity for letters, doesn’t it? The protagonist, Meg Ellis, who is also an empath and bookstore owner, slips letters inside the books of her customers who are in need of a pick-me-up. Each day, 10 letters–all handwritten by Meg–are placed inside books as a form of inspiration. Some of these letters go on to change people’s lives. And thus, the premise of the novel is unveiled: can letters slipped inside books have the power to change people’s lives?

To date, I have written hundreds of letters that I have tucked inside copies of my book. Books and letters are available via
Park Books and Lit Lab Collab in Severna Park, Maryland. (parkbooksmd.com)

Meg’s letters serve as inspiration. Who among us couldn’t do with a little inspiration each day?

I have recently fallen in love with some very old letters. After completing Bible in a Year on December 22, I found that some of my favorite Bible passages are actually letters: Letters from St. Paul to the Galatians, Romans, Corinthians, Philippians, and Thessalonians. Had he not written these love letters to the people, we would not know as much as we do know about his ministry, his need to enlighten others about Jesus, or how far and wide he traveled to spread the Word. They are, indeed, a record, a call, an inspiration, and most of all, love letters. Many of them were written from jail, and yet they are full of joy.

With 2024 just hours away, can I persuade you to write someone you love a letter?

It has the power to bring someone else joy.

I don’t think you’ll be sorry.

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, and have two children. On the side, she enjoys writing travel articles for marylandroadtrips.com.