Real mail

I received two letters this week. While this might not seem important or noteworthy to others, it is unusual for me. Most mail I receive are bills, junk mail/magazines, or official correspondence (from banks, doctors offices, etc.) Most correspondence I write, whether personal or professional, is via e-mail. This week, however, I received two letters in the mail from people I love. One was a card, which had a two page typed letter inserted into it. The other was a three page handwritten letter. I was pleased and surprised. I am a big fan of "snail" mail from people I love. I also love to send handwritten letters and cards to people. I think I get this from my father, who still hand writes his journal and hand writes letters to missionaries and those he loves who happen to live far away. When I lived and worked at a resort in Montana he sent me several letters which I still have today.
I am, and have been for a while, of the opinion that hand writing letter and notes is a dying art form. When someone wants to communicate with someone else these days, they generally pick up a telephone. If they don't telephone, they e-mail, IM, skype, or text.
Letters and notes used to be so important to humans. In some of my favorite books, the main characters received news, encouragement, and love via letters. How does Elizabeth realize that Mr. Darcy did not wrong Mr. Wickham? By reading a letter that Mr. Darcy sent her. How does Jean Wainwright discover who her true parents are and who killed an innocent woman? By reading through hand written notes, wills, etc. How does Anne realize that Captain Wentworth is still in love with her? By reading his letter. The list goes on and on (and I digress.) When researching historical figures, you can often find collections of their letters. Examples include Emily Dickinson, John Adams, Charles Dickens, John Calvin, and Samuel Beckett.
I love handwritten letters (or even letters that are typed, printed out, and signed.) Handwritten letters are still something that people appreciate. People send handwritten cards at Christmas, sign important documents, and many journals are still handwritten.
All this being said, when was the last time you wrote someone a note or letter and slipped it into the mail? When was the last time you received a piece of handwritten mail?

P.S. While this may seem a request for letters to be mailed to me, I assure you it is not. I just wanted to get some thoughts out of my head and onto a page, so to speak.