Letter Writing

 

When I was younger, say seven, eight

or nine, I would write a letter once in

awhile.

I never liked to write letters, but when

someone you knew wrote you, it seemed

writing them back was the courteous thing

to do, especially if they lived far away.

Calling long distance on the telephone

in those days was very expensive, and you

could buy a stamp for five cents or so.

Anyway, I hated writing letters with

all those, I am fine, how are you?

And nothing is really new with me,

how about you? Boring. For me, letter

writing was a pain.

I never really learned anything or said

much worthwhile with the few words I

managed to write anyway.

My grandma used to send letters to my

brothers and me. We were excited to

get her letters because she would include

a dollar bill in each one she sent.

Buy yourself something you like, she

always said. Otherwise, I couldn’t tell

you anything else about what she had

to say.

Even writing Grandma was a pain,

but we had to write and thank her in

return for the money she sent:

Dear Grandma, Thank you for the

dollar you sent. I bought some base-

ball cards and had money left over

for licorice. I am fine. I hope you

are too. How is the weather up

there in Chicago? We had 4-inches

of snow down here. And had a day

off of school. Write soon. Love,

Your grandson, Chris.

Friends of mine who had moved

away never sent money; neither

did I. No wonder I hated writing

them back. They couldn’t care

less if you had a day off of school.

I had better things to do than

write letters anyway.

              -30-

Chris Hanch 3-1-21