The Value of a Letter
by Andrea Steed (via ScrapTutor)
When I have something to say to someone, I'm much better at writing my thoughts down than saying them out loud to the person. Somehow when I'm standing in front of them, I just can't get the words out quite like I want to. But when I write them down, I'm able to really express what I want to say.
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If journaling is a challenge for you (and it is for me), writing a letter to someone is a great exercise in journaling your thoughts. Writing letters are a wonderful and personal way to include meaningful and memorable journaling. It allows you to reveal a piece of yourself that might not ordinarily make it into your regular journaling. They help you express emotions…not just tell what the emotions were.
Handwritten letters are even more special. There's something about a handwritten note that makes it even more personal and intimate to read.
Knowing that the person took the time to sit down and handwrite a message sometimes means more than the words themselves.
There are many forms of letters that can be included in layouts to bring the story to the page. Whether you write a new letter specifically for a page, or include a letter that was written decades ago, each will tell precious story.
Here are a few suggestions to get you started:Letter to or from your childLetter to or from your spouse
Letter to a teacher from child
Letter to Santa, Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Superhero, etc.
Letters from a friend
Love Letters
E-mail messages
Letters between pen pals
Letter to future generations
Letter to an unborn child
The photos in this layout (NOTE: not shown in reprinted article) were taken around the time when I was losing my teeth and learning to write.
To show a little bit about my personality at the time, as "spicy" as it was, I included copies of letters that I wrote to the tooth fairy on the page.Journaling:The tooth fairy couldn't fool me. When she left me a note saying that she tripped in my messy room and couldn't leave me any money, I put two and two together and realized that she was just teaming up with my mom in order to get me to clean my room. I had a few words for her! I knew she didn't just trip!
Letters:
Dear Tooth Fairy, Since you have wings, you can fly, right? So how could you trip over something? I also am sorry about the tooth. Will you forgive me? I hope so. Can I have the money anyway please? This time I hope you flew. And when you said you tripped there was nothing to trip on where you left the note. Oh and another thing. How can you write if you have wings? Did you write the note after you tripped? If you did, it's weird, because you don't usually write after you fall and anyway, why did you bring a pen with you? Did you know you were going to trip when you left for my house or what?
Yours Truly, Andrea
Dear Tooth Fairy, If you are mad about anything, I am very sorry. So please come soon. Please, I am saving my money for a skateboard. Yours Truly, Andrea