Guests
by Samara O'Shea, February 15, 2008 12:23 PM
When one blogs, especially guest blogs, he or she (read: me) is never sure if the audience prefers random musings, academic insights, or something more practical. Since none of my blogs have been practical thus far, that's what I'll end with. As a way of saying thank you for a wonderful week: I give you my four-sentence formula for writing thank you notes. Although thank you notes are usually written after one receives a gift ? wedding presents, birthday surprises, etc. ? I encourage everyone to write a thank you note for something a little more unexpected. Thank you for helping me move into my new apartment last week. Or Thank you for taking me out to lunch. When I was in high school I received a thank you note from an acquaintance for lending my ear when she was having a tough time at home. The note caught me completely off guard and meant the world to me. Writing thank you notes of all kinds can keep you in someone's good graces. It is a simple act that demonstrates how much you appreciate what they did and, subsequently, how much you appreciate them. All that being said, the formula below works best after receiving a gift. You have to be a little more creative when thanking for a random act of kindness, which isn't a bad thing. Sentence 1 Thank Them for the Gift: Simple enough, right? Just start off by mentioning the gift itself. For example, "Thank you for the candle holders." Or if you want to go the ultra-enthusiastic Emily Post route you can say, "The candle holders are divine!" Sentence 2 Elaborate on How You Plan to Use the Gift: Take the gift one step further and talk about how you've used it or plan to use it. For example, "We dined with them just last night." Or, "We're having a dinner party this Saturday, and I can't wait to show them off." If You Didn't Like the Gift: You can skip this sentence. Still thank them for the gift, but there's no need to lie and gush about it if you don't like it. You could also have two sentences thanking them for attending the wedding/party/etc., which is described below. Sentence 3 Thank Them Again for Attending The Soiree: Use the third sentence as an opportunity to enthusiastically thank them for taking the time to attend the main event. For example, "Above all, thank you for traveling such a long to distance to be with us on our wedding day ? it really meant a lot to us." Or "More than that, thank you for coming to my birthday dinner." If they were unable to attend but sent a gift then you can tell them how much you missed them. If there was no event, take this time to thank them for being a part of your life. "The real gift here is the gift of you. I'm so glad our friendship continues to withstand the test of time!" Sentence 4 Mention When You'll See Them Again: A good way to end your thank you note is by mentioning when you'll see the person again, "I can't wait to see you at Thanksgiving." Or, "We'll have you over for dinner just a soon as we're settled." There are no rules to writing thank you notes (only that you write them), but if you use this guide your note should resemble something like this: Dear Cynthia, The picture frame you sent is gorgeous! It's sitting on the mantle with my favorite photo of us in it. Thank you so much for trekking out to Jersey for my thirtieth birthday party ? you looked amazing in that vintage blue dress. I'll see you again at Marci's wedding in August. Lots of love, Samara
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, February 14, 2008 11:55 AM
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Since we're a race of people who love love and who also love voyeurism, I've compiled three of my favorite love letters. Enjoy! From Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) to his wife, Livy, on her thirtieth birthday: Hartford, November 27, 1875 Livy daring, six years have gone by since I made my first great success in life and won you, and thirty years have passed since Providence made preparation for that happy success by sending you into the world. Every day we live together adds to the security of my confidence that we can never any more wish to be separated than that we can ever imagine a regret that we were ever joined. You are dearer to me to-day, my child, than you were upon the last anniversary of this birth-day; you were dearer then than you were a year before ? you have grown more and more dear from the first of those anniversaries, and I do not doubt that this precious progression will continue on to the end. Let us look forward to the coming anniversaries, with their age and their gray hairs without fear and without depression, trusting and believing that the love we bear each other will be sufficient to make them blessed. So with abounding affection for you and our babies, I hail this day that brings you matronly grace and dignity of three decades. Always yours, S.L.C. ÷ ÷ ÷ From Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas: January 1893 Babbacombe Cliff My Own Boy, Your sonnet is quite lovely, and it is a marvel that those red rose-leaf lips of yours should have been made no less for music of song than for madness of kisses. Your slim gilt soul walks between passion and poetry. I know Hyacinthus, whom Apollo loved so madly, was you in Greek days. Why are you alone in London, and when do you go to Salisbury? Do go there to cool your hands in the grey twilight of Gothic things, and come here whenever you like. It is a lovely place ? it only lacks you; but go to Salisbury first. Always, with undying love, yours Oscar ÷ ÷ ÷ From Ernest Hemingway to Mary Welsh ? his fourth and final wife (the spelling errors here appear in the original letter): September 13, 1944 My Beloved: This is only a note to tell you how much I love you. We have had dinner and there was nothing spiritous to drink ? the celebration having out-cleaned us yest. and no new alcoholic centers taken. There are lots of troops around tonight and can sleep without challenging (or throwing one's true love out of bed). Stevie is writing his girl a masterful letter about how American Woman Do Not Appreciate What a Soldier ? A Man Trained to Kill ? goes through and Expects in Return ? and reading me excerpts and I am just happy and purring like an old jungle beast because I love you and you love me. I hope you were quite serious Pickle because I am as committed as an armoured column in a narrow defile where no vehicle can turn and without parallel roads. I am committed horse, foot, and guns ? so take good care of you for me, and for us and we will fight the best on we, or anyone, could ever fight ? for what we spoke about ? against loneliness, chickenshit, death, injustice, un-understanding sloth (our old enemy), substitutions, all fear and many other worthless things ? and in favour of you sitting up straight in bed lovelier than any figure head on the finest ship, tallest ship that ever drew on canvas or heeled over to a wind; and in favour of kindness, permanence, loveing each other and fine loveing nights, and days, in bed. Pickle I love you very much and am your partner, friend, and true
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, February 13, 2008 11:57 AM
I've got good news and bad news. The bad news is the price of stamps went up again. As of May 12, 2008, it will cost 42¢ (an extra penny) to purchase a stamp. The good news is I don't think this will encourage or discourage anyone from sending letters. The good news on top of that is that tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I can hear some grumbles in the background saying, Isn't that bad news? It's understandable ? nobody likes being force fed a holiday. I think we all know, however, that this is a holiday you can neither run nor hide from. I made my peace with Valentine's Day a few years ago. I was newly single and the sea of red cards and candy I had to walk through every time I wanted gum from CVS made me sick. I know it had probably been that way every previous year, but you're hypersensitive to these things after just breaking up with someone. It felt like every drug store in Manhattan was mocking me. Once that particular Valentine's season was over, I promised I'd never feel so perpetually sorry for myself again. Now, a few years later, and still single, I love Valentine's Day. I use the day as an excuse to tell everyone I love in my life that I love them. Yesterday, I mailed a handful of Valentines to family members and single gal pals ? one of them just broke off an engagement and I know she could use some platonic love. These days, instead of wondering where the love for me is, I extend my love for others ? knowing it'll come back to me at some point in time. I can see that Valentine's Day is no easier for people in relationships. There's so much pressure to do the perfect thing and expectations tend to be on the way-too-high side. When I was in college my boyfriend and I protested Valentine's Day and exchanged romantic gestures on St. Patrick's Day instead ? we're both Irish. If you do want some special service from your love on V-Day (and there's nothing wrong with that) then I suggest being honest about it. Don't say, "We don't have to do anything for Valentine's Day," only to kick and scream when your partner really doesn't do anything. It's a tough day also if your relationship has been troubled lately, and you're not necessarily in the mood for love. In that case, maybe go out to dinner and discuss ways to get your relationship back on track ? instead of pretending everything is perfect. And if you're madly in love, then enjoy! There are many circumstances under which one could be dealing with Valentine's Day. Keep in mind that we're all in this together
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, February 12, 2008 11:54 AM
Google alerts alerted me yesterday that there's a new letter-writing web site on the radar. Believe it or not, I was thrilled. Whenever someone comes up with an innovative way of promoting letter writing I'm delighted. Some of my favorite sites are TheModernLetter.com and SoThere.com ? the latter is a web site that posts a different break-up letter everyday. It's addictive. The latest letter-writing site is based out of the UK and it's called LeaveALetter.com. Before even clicking on the link, I found the URL charming and couldn't wait to dig in. The motivation behind LeaveALetter.com is leaving letters and photos for your loved ones after you've gone. Not a bad idea at all! The way it works is you set up an account, and you're then free to add photos and letters to the account for the rest of your life. The "rest of your life" thing is a little strange. Any website that deals directly with my mortality might not get the warmest reception from me. I still, however, like the concept of being organized about what memorabilia you leave your descendants, and so I continued optimistically through the site. I lost all faith when I realized that the "letters" you're leaving are electronic. They aren't collecting actual letters and storing them for you, but rather you write one main electronic letter that you can change or update at any time. I understand that we live in the age of all things digital and e-exchanges take place at lightning speed. When it comes to leaving letters for children and grandchildren, however, it's no longer about speed. It's about memory and sentimentality. The cool thing about holding a letter that my grandmother wrote is that she once held it in her hands too. It's just not the same reading a letter on screen or holding a printout. There's an emotional disconnect. Now, I love the Internet as much as the next guy, but it still hasn't proven its staying power. We can't say for sure if it'll be around 100 years from now, whereas letters have been around for hundreds of thousands of years. LeaveALetter.com might not be accessible when it's time for my kids to collect my sentiments. Yes, this is one area that I don't think needs a technological makeover, and I say stick with leaving letters and photos in a trusty old shoebox or safe deposit box. Now, I did laugh out loud when I read about the retrieval process. A copy of my death certificate must be presented in order for my offspring to access my account ? how amusingly morbid. On second thought, I know exactly how I feel about this. I don't like
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, February 11, 2008 11:59 AM
I've been writing letters on behalf of other people for just about three years. I launched a letter-writing service, LetterLover.net, as a lark ? not thinking people would take me seriously. To my pleasant surprise, some of them did, and my letter-writing assignments are always different and inspiring. As with any job, however, a cloud of routine eventually sets itself high above the work desk and, unfortunately, the work suffers. This has happened to me recently, and I was made aware of it when several of my customers said to me that I wasn't being sappy enough in my (their) letters. Excuse me? Not sappy enough? Isn't sap a bad thing? Isn't it messy and sticky and impossible to get out of clothes? Of course, I didn't say this to anyone. When I write a letter for someone I take what ingredients they give me and try to whip up a tasty little missive. For some reason, I was unconsciously leaving the sap out. They wanted apology letters that were over the top and love confessions blown all the way out of proportion, and I didn't have it in me. Without giving myself too much of a psychiatric evaluation, I let this become a job. It was never meant to be a job. It was meant to be an adventure. Instead of people commissioning me to paint paintings, they commission me to write letters (which is like painting, only with words). In the beginning, I had so much fun, and I probably erred more on the side of too much sap rather than not enough. Even still, I was reluctant to incorporate more sap on demand only because I don't like being told what to do, but in the name of "the customer always being right" I marched over to the maple tree and filled up on epistolary saccharine. It took a few letters for me to let my guard down fully, but once I did, I was reminded of why I went forth with this ridiculous idea in the first place. We all need poetry in our lives, and if we can't be overtly emotional in our correspondence with the people we love, then where can we be? This was the perfect reminder for me, as the self-proclaimed letter-writing expert, and also for all of us as Valentine's Day draws near. Sometimes our relationships become jobs to us and we settle into a routine. Nothing will snap you and your loved one out of it like some sap, syrup, and even Cheese Whiz. Pour it
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, June 8, 2007 10:04 AM
What a fortuitous week! Powell's and I honestly picked this week at random for my guest blogspot (thanks, guys!) ? neither of us having any idea there would be so much going on in the world of letters. On Wednesday it was reported that a priceless lot of letters was found in Switzerland (scroll down for that write up), and this morning at 7:22 a.m. Eastern Standard Time I found myself reading about a letter written by Abraham Lincoln found only three weeks ago at the National Archives. It's a short, two-sentence letter written to Maj. General Henry Halleck four days after the battle of Gettysburg: July 7, 1863We have certain information that Vicksburg surrendered to General Grant on the 4th of July. Now, if Gen. Meade can complete his work so gloriously prosecuted thus far, by the literal or substantial destruction of Lee's army, the rebellion will be over. Yours truly, A. Lincoln And the moral of the story is: We need to keep writing letters so that our descendants can continually uncover us. I am willing to compromise ? for those of you who know you'll never write another letter in your life, please consider printing out your favorite e-mails. Print those that move you the most, and put them in a shoebox. You will be glad you did this someday! And now, for my last number, I will give you bits and pieces of some of my favorite good-bye letters. Thank you for a wonderful week, and I hope you enjoy! French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir writes to American writer Nelson Algren when she returns to Paris after their first romantic encounter in Chicago. May 18, 1947 We must know every kind of love. We'll know the joy of meeting again. I want it, I need it, and I'll get it. Wait for me. I wait for you. I love you more ever than I said, more maybe than you know. I'll write very often. Write to me very often too. I am your wife. forever. From Robert E. Lee to his army following his surrender to Ulysses S. Grant (Lincoln's plan worked!): April 10, 1865 You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection. With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country and grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell. Union Solider Sullivan Ballou writes to his wife Sarah, anticipating his death, before the first Battle of Bull Run. He did lose his life in the battle. July 14, 1861If I do not return, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I loved you, nor that when my last breath escapes me on this battlefield, it will whisper your name. Forgive my faults and the many pains I have caused you.... But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back and to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you... do not mourn me dead; Think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again... From Marie Antoinette to her sister-in-law Elisabeth. The last letter she wrote before going to the guillotine. October 16, 1793 Farewell, my good and tender sister, I hope that this letter may reach you. Do not forget me. I embrace you with all my heart as well as my poor children. My God! How it tears my heart to leave them forever. Farewell! Farewell! I must now think of my spiritual
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, June 7, 2007 10:56 AM
My good friend Amy has just called my attention to the Claude Monet exhibit at the Wildenstein Gallery in New York City. In addition to over sixty paintings (some rare and never seen before) there are a number of letters on display. The majority of these letters are written from Monet to his love Alice Hoschedé. Sadly, I don't think I'll be able to trek up there before the exhibit closes on June 15th, but I will enjoy them from afar as Amy sent me the transcriptions. On February 11, 1883, he ended a letter to Alice in this charming way: "Goodbye, you wicked gallivanting woman (just joking). I love you, there you have it, and I'm jealous that you are spending your time away from me, and I would like to know everything you did in Paris and where you went. Hug all the children. My best to Marthe [Alice's daughter, Marthe Hoschedé] and all my caresses are for you." And now for a drastic change of topics: I said I'd discuss Graduation and Father's Day letters this time around. So here goes... Graduation Letters Nowadays what accompanies a graduation gift is usually a clever card with a quick signature, but I think there is an opportunity for some great letter writing here. My cousin Zachary will graduate from high school next week, and I am so excited to write him for a few reasons. One is that I won't be able to attend the ceremony, and I want some strong words to stand in my place. Another is that our relationship is unique in that I'm 10 years older than he, and once upon a time (between the ages of 15 and 20) I never would have guessed that he and I would be friends in any form. That changed one summer when I was staying with his family (my family too) and his mother asked me to take him to see X-Men. That was the very last thing in the world I wanted to do, but since my aunt had been so good to me in letting me live there for the summer, I took him. We had a blast, and I became an X-Men convert. Zach and I have since seen all three X-Men movies together as well as the Star Wars prequels. Science fiction was our starting bond, and it has since expanded into long talks about girls/college, and the two of us can devour a large pizza together like nobody's business. This relationship with my cousin caught me completely off guard, and I want to tell him that. I want him to know how proud of him I am and that he can come to me if and when (I'm expecting this) he gets into any trouble at college. I want to give him advice ? knowing full well that he won't take it but also knowing that he'll come back to me years later and tell me I was right. So my advice for graduation letters is this: - Write them: Go beyond simple sentiments and tell the person how you admire their achievements and can't wait to see what they'll do with their degree.
- Advise them: If you have wisdom to impart, go for it. I plan to tell Zach that he doesn't have to cram all of his fun into four years. I'll say I want him to have a good time, of course, but that no one told me how crazy and wonderful my early twenties would be. Early twenties are a lot easier to live-up with money in your back pocket, and often times money comes from good grades and persistence in college.
- Remind them: That you love them and that you've got their back as the next chapter in their life begins.
Father's Day Letters These are love letters, and they're difficult to write, I find, as many people have a bit of an emotional disconnect from their fathers. It's just not as easy to tell Dad you love him as it usually is to tell Mom. It is, however, easier and permanent in a letter. This year I am very excited to write my father, as he just graduated with his bachelor's degree (isn't that great!). I already wrote him a graduation letter, but look forward to elaborating in a Father's Day missive. If you're having trouble getting started with your Father's Day message here are a few ideas: - Say Thank You: This is your father. He has certainly made many sacrifices for you ? plenty that you don't even know about. Tell him his hard work in raising you has not gone unnoticed.
- Point Out Your Good Qualities: Tell Dad what some of your favorite features about yourself are, and give then credit where it's due. For example: "Someone at work the other day told me I take no prisoners and followed up with how much he admires that. I laughed because I knew my professional ruthlessness couldn't have come anywhere other than my father ? the original master of wheeling and dealing."
- Say I Love You: It sounds so simple, but it's something I really don't say to my father that often. Perhaps I'll phrase it that way this year: "I'm guilty of rarely saying this, but I'll never forgive myself if you don't know it: I love you,
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Guests
by Samara O'Shea, June 6, 2007 10:53 AM
Letter writers, collectors, and historians all hit the tangible jackpot yesterday! Roughly 1,000 historic letters were found hidden away in a filing cabinet in a Swiss laundry room. These epistles were written by the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte, Winston Churchill, John Donne, and Queen Elizabeth I. The missives were collected by a wealthy Austrian banker named Albin Schram who died in 2005. He neglected to tell his family of his astounding collection. The lot of letters is set to be auctioned off at Christie's in London on July 3rd. It is estimated that they will yield up to $4.6 million. According to the New York Times: "One of the rarest letters was written by an apologetic Napoleon on the morning after a furious argument with his wife, Josephine. In a spidery scrawl full of corrections and crossings out, Napoleon wrote, 'I send you three kisses ? one on your heart, one on your mouth and one on your eyes.'" I wonder what the fight was about! She must have called him a tyrant... As Promised... Yesterday I swore to unveil my simple formula for writing short, sincere thank you notes, and I shall. I also said I'd give tips on writing graduation and Father's Day cards. I'm going to hold off on the last two and save them for tomorrow (we've still got time before Father's Day). I just didn't anticipate the breaking letter news above (who would?). I do this in the name of wedding season. This is for all you brides (and grooms whose new wives are making them help with the thank you cards). As for the rest of you: remember this next time you throw a birthday bash. Four Sentence Thank You Note Formula Sentence 1: Thank them for the gift. It can be as simple as "Thank you for the scarf." Or you could take the more enthusiastic route: "The scarf is gorgeous!" depending on how you feel about the item. Sentence 2: Elaborate on the gift. Talk about how you plan to use it or how you've already used it. For example, "It is sure to get me through this harsh winter in style." Sentence 3: Bring the note back to the person. In other words, thank them above all for attending your wedding or birthday party. If they were unable to make it, tell them how you missed them. And if there was no event, simply remind them how glad you are that they are a part of your life. Sentence 4: Mention the next time you're going to see them. If there's an upcoming event say, "I'll see you at Jason's 4th of July party in a few weeks." If there's not you can say, "Let's have coffee soon," or "I'll see you the next time I'm in San Diego." Sign off and you're done. If you didn't like the gift: No need to lie. Simply say thank you. "Thank you for the Darth Vader Pez dispenser," and either omit the second sentence or replace it and have two sentences about the person instead. For example, "It was wonderful to catch up with you after all this time. I enjoyed hearing about your trip to Maui, and seeing your breathtaking photos." Below you'll find the 4-sentence formula in action: Dear Carrie, Thank you so much for the blender. I use it to make a fruit smoothie every morning. Above all, thank you for attending our wedding ? you looked beautiful in your baby blue dress. I'll see you at Lisa's birthday party in August. Much love, Dear Mike, Thank you for your generous check. We are excited to put it toward our kitchen renovation. Most of all, thank you for making the trip to Newport to share our wedding day with us. We will have you over as soon as the kitchen is finished. With love from both of
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by Samara O'Shea, June 5, 2007 10:55 AM
I was at once both surprised and delighted when I learned of this epistolary phenomenon ? letters to Juliet. How it began is difficult to say; the important thing is that it did. People from all over the world have been confessing their deepest, silliest, most sacred thoughts and desires to the female constituent of the world's greatest love story since the 1930s. Letters simply addressed, "Juliet, Verona" will reach their destination, which is the fabricated tomb of Juliet Capulet in Verona, Italy. There, volunteer secretaries belonging to the Club di Giulietta will receive and respond to the letters. Some of the letters, along with the story behind this marvel, were published in a book last year, aptly entitled Letters to Juliet, by Lise and Ceil Friedman. The letters are fascinating little snippets of the human psyche. Each is colored with a different shade of love ? love at its earliest, at its best, at its worst, at its most confusing. Here is one of the letters from the book that tips its hat to infatuation: "Dear Juliet, I live on the third floor. My parents don't allow my boyfriend to come to my house. So I have to sneak him in. But it's very difficult. Can you tell me how Romeo got to visit you? Tell me his technique for climbing into your room! Thanks, kisses, Cari V., Lausanne, Switzerland" And this one leans more toward the heartbreaking, serious side: "Dear Juliet, I am married to a charming man who blankets me with gifts and looks after me splendidly. But the problem is, I don't love him... Juliet, advise me; should I choose stability with my husband and daughter or happiness with my lover? Jeanne C., Arles, France" In this book, one finds the story of a small town that adopted a big legend, and it also tells of the people who found an unexpected outlet for personal triumphs and tragedies. In the back of the book is a pretty piece of paper with a sophisticated pink and red envelope included to encourage readers to write their own letters to Juliet. I was compelled to do just that: Dear Juliet, Sweet ingénue, I don't know how I let myself be tricked into this. Let's set aside for a moment the fact that you are not now nor have you ever been real, but if you were then that would mean I am writing to a compulsive teenager about my relationship issues. I suppose writing to you is like falling in love itself ? there is no rhyme or reason, but we do it because we are led to and ultimately we need to. That being said, I am happy to play along. First of all, I should tell you I don't think you had to go so far as to kill yourself. The gesture is sweet ? can't live without your love ? but there are a handful of men who I convinced myself I couldn't live without either, and I'm happy to say I was wrong. I suppose you already know about my last (almost) love. He certainly had the potential to be someone I could have adored for a long time, but he was quite the cad. Don't worry, I knew he was a cad all along, and I allowed myself to savor him for a sweet second. Even though I knew better, I still couldn't help but be disappointed when it was over. I am, however, pleased to announce that I was not devastated. Disappointed not devastated is a great compromise for me. I'm starting to think, forgive my cynicism, that mutual love is nothing short of a miracle. I've got that cliché problem where I'm either dating someone who adores me or someone I adore, and I can't seem to happen upon a scenario where we're both in it fully for each other. Now, I'm actually going to take back what I said earlier about you killing yourself. This is only because it was, if not smart, completely mutual. He was with you every gruesome step of the way, and that is a gift. Let's make a deal: If I ever find this mystery, mutual love then I will proudly bring this man to Verona and deliver a letter of thanks to your tomb in person. The three of us can have our picture taken together. If this type of love evades me then I will still live my life to fullest, but when the time comes for me to retire I'll do it in Verona. I will gladly be one of the many volunteers who spends her days reading and writing letters on your behalf. Sounds divine. Thank you for indulging me. Hopefully, Samara Tomorrow's Blog: I'll reveal my fast formula for writing thank-you notes, as well as tips on writing letters for graduation and/or Father's
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by Samara O'Shea, June 4, 2007 10:58 AM
Last week was clarifying for me. I was reminded why I do what I do. On the whole I write ? more specifically than that I write letters (for more on my letter-writing mission visit LetterLover.net). The last thing I expected to take place within the weeks following the release of my book, For the Love of Letters: A 21st-Century Guide to the Art of Letter Writing, was to forget my self-appointed purpose, but it keeps happening. In an odd way I'm glad, because that leaves room for outside forces to sneak up behind me with substantial reminders. My ready-made reminders last week came from both friends and strangers. On Wednesday I did my first book reading at the Papyrus store in downtown Manhattan. I knew about the reading a month beforehand and became so concerned with how I was going to say everything ? going so far as to memorize even facial expressions and voice inflections ? that what I was saying sat beyond the back seat in my mind. It was in the trunk. It wasn't until after the presentation when certain members of the crowd approached me with their letter writing stories ? not their questions, but rather their stories ? that I realized what I said was more important than my well-rehearsed delivery. I forget how personal this topic tends to be, and how most people have a "box of old letters" story they love to share. There is, admittedly, no excuse for me forgetting that, as it is one of the reasons I wrote the book and felt comfortable including many of my own private letters as well as the stories surrounding them. Alas, it slips my mind on a regular basis and now I am so grateful to have readers who are kind enough to remind me. After the reading, a friend of mine told me she'd like to tell me how she thought I did but she'll write me a letter about it instead (I assume that means she approves), and another friend bought $300 worth of stationery. I can't even say I would go that far! A much more humbling reminder of the great letter-writing crusade took place last Thursday night. I attended an Amnesty International event in which they discussed violence against native American and Alaskan native women. In the gift bags handed out were copies of the Summer 2007 Amnesty Magazine. In the Arts & Culture section was a short, very sweet review of my book. The opening sentence is, "A bizarrely intriguing little book..." Never has the word bizarrely been so well placed! The reason For the Love of Letters was included is because there is a chapter entitled "Letters of Change" in the book in which I tell the tale of Amnesty's use of letter writing to effectively enact political change. Having my book's write-up placed alongside articles that delineate the horrors of Darfur, the injustices taking place on American soil, and the profiles of political prisoners seemed (seems) so wrong. But the writer ? poet, journalist, and human rights activist, Rose Styron ? made her own personal, poignant connection: "I had forgotten just how many diplomatically worded letters I'd had to invent and reinvent in my early decades with Amnesty International USA. The tried-and-true samples originated by AI's Urgent Action network were designed to get political prisoners released or their conditions bettered, even their lives saved. The world-wide letter writing campaigns, addressed to the lonely and anguished incarcerated dissident, or his/her jailer, the police, or the president/tyrant of the offending government, were really effected ? as the survivors attested in letters of gratitude."Those letters were, and still could be, a primer for activists, a simple, effective first step that recognizes the importance of persuading authorities to cease repression, abuse, torture, killing, and all manner of injustice. The letter-writer is holding their feet to the fire, altering them to imminent exposure on the world stage, or possibly even supporting their better, private instincts. The collected missiles, piled up on the desks of the powerful, were very effective. I would hope they could be again: Afghanistan. Iraq. Sudan. Guantanamo. Home. Letters, please." Tomorrow's Blog Letters to Juliet: It has come to my attention that there are people on this planet (many of them) who write letters to Juliet Capulet in Verona the same way children write letters to Santa
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