| A Word Edgewise
by Mary Joe Clendenin |
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LETTERS NEVER LOOSE THEIR IMPORTANCE
It seems that with telephone service so available and relatively inexpensive these days, and so many people depending on e-mail, that letter writing becomes more and more unpopular--and that is a real loss. Exchange of letters can not be replaced. Committing thoughts to paper in letters to friends and loved ones, as well as for business purposes, gives extra meaning to thoughts and comments.
Where would the biographer be without access to letters? I'm sitting here with biographies of Harry Truman and Abraham Lincoln in view, and know that much of the personal information about those noteworthy men came from letters they wrote or received.
Imagine the following scene fifty years hence:
"Hey, Cousin, come on down. We plan to open grandmother's trunk this evening and see what kind of mementos she tucked away."
That evening the descendents gather around, open the trunk, and there amid pieces of costume jewelry, pictures of the searchers as babies--no names on the pictures--a pressed flower, a small Bible, an old silk blouse, a baby shoe, they find a bundle of floppy disks tied in blue ribbon. Perhaps, disks of e-mail.
"Will you look at this! Wonder what words of wisdom are hidden on these antique disks? What do you suppose granny thought as she tied this ribbon. Wish we could find out what she had to tell us. These things were obsolete thirty years ago!"
A few years ago my sister got such a call: "Come on out to the shinnery tonight. We plan to go through mama's old trunk and see what she hid away. Since you're interested in family history you might find some treasures here."
Among the keepsakes was this letter written about 1910 by my grandmother to her oldest son. Notice the letter reflects love, values, wishes, attitudes of the times, as well as the advice of a mother to a son:
My Son:
I read one of your letters the other day. I can clearly tell you the cause of your and Clara's troubles. It all arises from your kissing and embracing your sweetheart. Now I know neither one of you mean any harm., but my Son, you are both acting indiscreetly. Suppose someone accidently sees one of these acts--then there is sure to be slander started. Would you be the cause of a stain on any pure girl's name? Especially the girl you have chosen for your life companion? I know Clara is as pure as the stars of the Heavens, but she has acted unwisely in allowing you these privileges, and you first did wrong in asking. You have done wrong; now you must suffer the result for "As we sow, so shall we reap."
Mr. Lucke is not to blame. He does not know what your intentions are. You have not asked him for Clara. It is his sacred business to protect the good name of his child. Save your caresses until after you are married: then, kiss your sweetheart every day of your life. It is your duty to explain things to Mr. Lucke.
Some day, in the far off future, when I have passed out of this life, you, perhaps, will be raising a family of girls. Then you will understand all these things.
I hope you will not, either of you, be offended at what I say. It is all given in kindness.
Your Mother
I admire people who have the stick-to-ability to keep a journal. Several times I have determined to do so. Not that I have such worthwhile daily thoughts and actions, nor would I want to keep it daily. But one such journal I've thought would be valuable to build faith in God in my descendents. If I kept a journal of prayers and requests made to God, along with dates and particulars of prayers He answered, how valuable that would be--I think. They might not value it. God has answered many prayers in my lifetime --and I have begun such a journal several times. I remember my intent for, maybe, a week, and then it goes under the file of "broken resolutions."
Nothing can take the place of letters to preserve for my own later years. I have kept nearly all the letters written by my children--too few--some by my mother, a few Ray wrote, and one or two by my grandmother. Wish I had kept more--wish I got more. Is it just a sentimental hang-over to value old things? I think not. History is often found in personal letters.
When President Truman was leaving office he wrote letters to many. To Dean Acheson he wrote:
"Certainly no man is more responsible then you for pulling together people of the free world, and strengthening their will and their determination to be strong and free..."
He could have phoned, but then only one person would have known how he valued the people around him. His biography could not reveal his devotion to Bess without some of the letters he wrote to her. Such a lonely world it will be without personal letters.