The Importance of The Handwritten Note — Relationships
This is about relationships. A good friend’s last remaining parent died and I’ve been trying to be as helpful as I can. Do I still need to write her a personal note? Or would that be just another note she’d have to acknowledge? Should I send her a condolence card or do I have to write a letter? She asked me if she needs to write to 150 people who ‘Liked’ the photo of her parent that she posted on Facebook to announce the parent’s death or can she just ‘Reply’ with a quick ‘Thank You’? If she thanked friends in person for their flowers at the funeral, does she still have to send a sympathy acknowledgement?
–EH, Boston
Handwriting is the most elegant form of communication in relationships. The whole exercise of expressive note writing whether in sympathy or gratitude -- even a few lines on a commercial condolence card and finding a stamp (who has those any longer?) -- is part of the mourning process. You can send your friend a handwritten note on your best stationery (even if its left over from your wedding) or a thoughtful greeting card.
Trust me. It will make you happier to write her a note. In many instances, including that of the survivor, writing is cathartic for mourning.
There is a de-escalation process where the survivor reciprocates, acknowledging in writing the death of their parent to friends and family; when she sends acknowledgement cards that include a short message she's accepting her grief. Expressing the loss of that relationship is therapeutic for the writer as well as the survivor
Hopefully, these simple guidelines will make it easier to understand:
With the case for handwriting your message, the evidence is evident. We now know from recent brain scan studies that early handwriting helps kids to learn how to read, and that keyboards don't have the same effect. Forming the letters with a pen/pencil enables children to break the code by producing more brain activity than merely viewing letters on a keyboard.
There's more evidence that handwriting lecture notes, compared to typing on a laptop or iPhone, improves learning for college students.
A good handwritten letter
The gratitude letter
A condolence letter
When you know the recipient well:
Trust me. It will make you happier to write her a note. In many instances, including that of the survivor, writing is cathartic for mourning.
There is a de-escalation process where the survivor reciprocates, acknowledging in writing the death of their parent to friends and family; when she sends acknowledgement cards that include a short message she's accepting her grief. Expressing the loss of that relationship is therapeutic for the writer as well as the survivor
Hopefully, these simple guidelines will make it easier to understand:
With the case for handwriting your message, the evidence is evident. We now know from recent brain scan studies that early handwriting helps kids to learn how to read, and that keyboards don't have the same effect. Forming the letters with a pen/pencil enables children to break the code by producing more brain activity than merely viewing letters on a keyboard.
There's more evidence that handwriting lecture notes, compared to typing on a laptop or iPhone, improves learning for college students.
- The gratitude letter that your friend would be writing in return is positive psychology. It is written as a specific expression of thanks to a person who has been especially thoughtful, kind or important to her. Apparently, 99% of the time the gratitude letter works. And why wouldn't it?
A good handwritten letter
- is personal and is personalized (when you send a tweet, email, text, or FB message, you should still follow up with a handwritten note or card when you know the person well.)
- represents the writer's undivided attention (unlike an email or phone call while multi-tasking at work.)
- is a thoughtful gesture appreciated for its effort, time spent writing it and finding a stamp. People remember who wrote a heartfelt letter and who sent a text.
The gratitude letter
- for a gift of any kind or any occasion acknowledgement is appreciated. It sustains the relationship. If I spend half a day making a meatloaf and cherry pie to bring you while you're recuperating from a knee replacement, I am grateful to receive a handwritten message of appreciation.
- is appreciated when someone goes out of their way (again, spending time on you) to introduce you to someone who becomes your boss, mentor, investor, or business partner; or pulls strings for you.
A condolence letter
- can be sent anytime, the sooner the better, however, there are no rules or time constraints.
- should never include unhelpful phrases (see below).
- is NOT about being profound.
- is all about acknowledging a death and expressing genuine sympathy.
- is not the place to compare losses (saying you've experienced the same loss could annoy the person).
- It's for the best.
- I/we know how you feel. (You don't know how they feel, no matter how well you think you know the person.)
- He lived a full life.
- My mother had ______, too.
- How are you? Obviously, they're hurting
- It was the right time -- because she may have been let go.
- Don't promise to help, if you're not sure you will.
- Don't go on too long, because brevity is key.
- Don't go into the drastic circumstances of the deceased.
- Don't say anything even vaguely religious, unless it is appropriate.Don't sign off with just Sincerely, which sounds cold.
- With sympathy,
- Please accept our condolences,
- Our sincere sympathy,
- With caring thoughts,
- With deepest sympathy,
- Warmest condolences,
- With deepest sympathy for your loss,
When you know the recipient well:
- With love,
- With loving memories,
- Thinking of you,
- Our thoughts are of you, our hearts are with you,
- Stella will never be forgotten,
- Toby will live on in our hearts,
- Louis will remain in our hearts,
- We will never forget Elaine,
Much appreciation to the Printery, Oyster Bay, New York,
for the use of all of the exquisite samples above.
~Didi
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