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Spouse CallsJoin the conversation with Stripes columnist Terri Barnes, as she explores issues relevant to the lives of military spouses. |
Letter perfect
Posted September 25th, 2007 by Terri Barnes in
When it comes to sending messages to deployed spouses, we have so many choices: E-mail is my preferred method for daily messages, but can 10-point Times New Roman on a computer screen convey all I have to say?
Click here to read the Oct. 14 Spouse Calls about real letters.
A hand-written letter or a care package is a tangible reminder of love and concern. Although it may use fewer words, it gives expression to your feelings the way no typeface can do, :) :( and ;) notwithstanding.
Click here to read the Oct. 7 column featuring e-mail from kids.
What kinds of things do you put in care packages? Do you make homemade cards or pralines or send mystery watercolors painted by your kids? If you e-mail all the time, how do you put a smile on your typeface?
If you have more to say about writing, e-mailing and mail in general, write it here -- in 12-point Verdana.
Read the polls results below to see how readers feel about the mail they send and receive.
Fifty-two pick up
A reader e-mailed this creative suggestion for real mail to a deployed Dad:
While my husband was remote for a year, a friend suggested a deck of playing cards. Before he left, he and the kids went and bought a deck of Scooby Doo cards.
He took the deck with him and every week he sent a card back with a note of his life there. The kids loved getting the card in the mail with the note. And when the deck was complete, dad was on his way home.
His last deployment was 6 months, so they received 2 cards a week. As for myself, I have a disk with our “love” letters from the desert on them. Thanks for doing this column, it’s good to have mentoring, experienced spouses sharing their life lessons.
Real post cards by e-mail
Lynne, a military spouse from California, sent this message and a link to "Let's Say Thanks," sponsored by Xerox in support of deployed military members. She writes:
Click here for a website from Xerox. You pick out a card (illustrated by children) and then you choose a closing, then Xerox will send actual printed postcards to our troops. Very cool!!!
Lynne
Thank you Lynne! I sent one today and found there is also an option to write your own message. You must provide your name and home town.
This is a wonderful way to send real mail via the internet!
Imaginary e-mail?
Here's a great comment from Patti, an Air Force wife and mother of three boys, who writes ...
I find it funny when people call paper "real" mail, like e-mail is all in our imaginations! :)~
Man has always looked for faster methods of communications -- runners and ponies and trains and planes -- e-mail is just the next step in real mail delivery!
I prefer e-mail for everything except Christmas cards ...
Patti also lists some of the ups and downs of paper mail. Here are two especially good observations:
Keep those cards and letters coming ...