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Those-lost-letters
Those lost letters!!!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! The angry growl of our pet dog around 3pm would always used to make me thrilled. Then to verify, I would always wait for the second sign, the cling-clang sound of the tattered bicycle ring on the unpaved by lane of our neighbourhood. After full reassurance, I used to run at full force to the front gate of our home. And Echo, our black pet dog used to look at me as if I am the most stupid person on earth to run out while breaking his afternoon nap! Like our family tradition for whoever remains at home excluding the busy male members, and our pet dog (though it was a he – and I am quite sure Echo used to consider himself above all other for the plenty pampering lavished on him) used to enjoy intact sleeps during the afternoon time, no matter whether it is summer or winter. But then this was the scene when I used to be absent from my school due to some reasons. In other case I would directly walk towards my study table where my most anticipated item was to be waiting for me. In summer, even the glass of lemon juice could not beat the urge to run to the study table. And during winter the warm glass of Horlicks always used got neglected. You must be wondering what was making my younger mind so much engaged with, rite???
It was those much awaited for handwritten LETTERS from friends, cousins, other family members. Yes, you are reading right of course and it was those sweet smelling letters; I used to wait for so much during all my growing up days. It was the feel of that sweetest thrill and warmth that used to overwhelm me so much. I would always hold the letter for sometimes before opening it. Those letters were from my friends and cousins who used to stay in other nearby towns. Even I used to have many pen friends who used to stay faraway places. We did not had any other ways to be in touch that time as phone was not that much for the younger people and mainly those were being used for emergency purposes only by senior folks. But yes, we used to write so many letters on all the occasions. Even smallest of anything could not miss our attention to describe in our much cherished letters.
And how can I not mention our post office? I was brought up in Digboi, small oil town of Assam, Nort East India. We used to frequent it so much that it was kind of an extended part of our home and all the officials there were almost our neighbour, though the post office was little far from my home. It was not also very high profile just a general condition small town post office which used to be a place of frequent visit of us. Now I realize how simple people they were then, as we used to disturb them a lot with our many questions (about the delivery of our precious letters), then all our demands (about the urgencies for those communiqué)! They even used to know about many important details like our birth days and all, as our frequencies to the Post Office used to increase phenomenally during that time. During New Year eve, Bihu, Puja, Diwali, Holi etc the bunch of colourful greeting cards used to capture our fancy for may be about one month prior to the actual occasion. And likewise our visits to the post office will be numerous as we used to post cards every now and then without any planned manner.
And our dear postman, a sweet little old man with his tattered bicycle used to be the bearer of our expected letters, our sweet nothings! Even our graceful family used to treat the dear postman with little gifts during all festivals and sweets to express their gratitude for being an important part of us, the children. He still holds a very special place in my heart, although sadly enough I could not remember the name of the person as we used to call him, khura (uncle in Assamese). Although the postmen are not at all in demand as their charm has all dimed in the modern glitterati of the technology but for us, the one from the dream world, they will always have a special place in the core of our many hearts.
I ponder the patience level we used to have, as every detail, even about the environment surrounding us used to be of utmost importance to obtain a detailed description like the new leaves and the Dahlia flowers about to bloom etc. The extra care amazes me now, which we took to write those letters in colourful latter pads and those different sized envelopes. The blue inland letters used to be the most normal mode but then letter pads with many designs used to be also very frequent for me. I still remember the crispiness of the latter pads with different motifs which I really used to adore very much. The handwritings in the address used to be so known to us that we at once used to realize from whom the letter is coming. Then the charismatic smell of the unopened letter, that I always took special care to feel before opening each of them. Now if I think it leaves me with much amusement as, it was like, I wanted to sense carefully the feel of my friends in the outside of the letter itself. We did not prefer the uses of postcards for the scarcity of space their as we needed many for our all important gossiping. So strong our imaginations were at that time as really we used to walk around in an imaginary world of our own!
Another important aspect was preservation of those letters. I used to have the lower drawers of my study table all filled systematically with those many letters. And lowest self of my grandma’s wardrobe used to be another place to keep those letters/greeting cards etc. But again very sadly I lost all those most pricey treasure in the long journey of life as I had to shift many places after my marriage. But the day before yesterday only, Sonali/Rupali ( my best friends- they are twin) told me they still have those wonderful gem of our letters with them which bears many not so long distant precious memories of our days, times, plans etc. At least we still have some breathing memories.
But I feel so sad to see the world around us now void of those precious jewels. The age of techno savoir-faire generation full of SMS, MMS, Chatings, emails, video conferencing etc has made a pathetic end to the world of emotions and simple joys. Though now we talk over mobile about almost every small thing but then it can never be compared with the thrill of those beautiful letters which our kids will not know in their lives. Even the colourful greeting cards are in decreasing trend now which used to decorate each possible selves of our living room during our childhood days. We used to write letters till may be the beginning of the millennium. But I really miss those letters very much. I miss the cling clag sound of the bicycle and the angry view of my dog, Echo. Really I lost my mails of those carefree laughter.
With growth of modern technology we are losing our simple joys or we are advancing towards some c complicated goals in life, really I wonder so much!
Comments
That was well said!!! I too miss receiving letters in the mail. I have a dear Aunt who still sends letters and cards in the mail and I return the favor.
Handwritten letters are so much more valuable and mean so much!! Technology has taken the "human" out of communication.
Voted UP, Awesome, and Interesting!!! Awesome Job!!
With the advent of emails, the number of interesting letters we receive has greatly diminished (the mail seems to be mostly bills these days), and the skill of writing seems to have diminished too. But that only makes the ones we do receive so much more special. Great hub.
This was such a lovely hub and brought back lots of memories for me. When I was young our mailman was named Ferdinand and he too knew everything about us! We used to run alongside of him when he was delivering mail and he would tell us the story of Ferdinand the Bull who he said he was named after.
Yes, handwritten letters from family and friends were very precious and I agree with you that we are losing that and creating a "void of those precious jewels."
Voted up, awesome, and interesting!
- Author
Thank you @ Patty so much, for your visit here. You are so lucky to have an Aunt who is still rooted to make you reciprocate. Handwritten letters always had more value for the personnel touch it used to have with it. At least one could actually get to know the state of mind of the person writing the letter from the hand writings very nicely. I always appreciate and to be honest look forward very eagerly for your view on my work, as you are precious for me. Hope you have a good day ahead, Friend:-)
- Author
Thank you @BlossomSB...for your comment here. You are really a very positive person who knows well to find the specialty in every thing. You are very right in saying that rare mails makes the exclusivity in the ones
( hand written mails)we receive. ha ha ha....really only the bills are kind of mails we receive at present., I can't agree more.
Hope you have a nice day ahead, friend:-)
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Thank you @ Mary (tillsontitan) for your kind visit and comment here. You are really lucky to remember the name of that wonderful postman who shared stories behind his name with you all. It makes lot of differences. Those days will not return to us but we can only feel the void.
Your views here is much appreciated, Friend and hope you enjoy your day ahead.
Technology is a must these days, but those old fashioned letters were wonderful things to receive. Especially if you knew something was arriving by post the anticipation to see if the postman would deliver was so exciting. Loved your story about this, it brought back all the "old ways" things were done.
Lots of love put into writing this, and thank you for sharing.
Jan
- Author
Hey Dear JAN,
Thank you for dropping by and making time to go through this hub and commenting here. I agree with you, we need technological growth for sure but then we are losing so much in the process like those wonderful letters which may be in future some museum item for our next gen. 'Old ways' of doing things had many personnel touch with it which is becoming rare now. I appreciate your views very much and yeah...hope you have a great day ahead, dear:-)
Voted up and awesome. I too miss those simple pleasures of yesteryear. I remember what joy letters would bring. Like a special prize from someone dear. I remember sending perfumed letters. Now it's all gone. I'm used to e-mail and SMS but oh, give me those days of stationary paper, pen and envelope. Thanks for the memories. Passing this on.
- Author
Only if we could smell those fragrant letters of yesteryear.....like you very rightly said above. You are always welcome dear @Gypsy.
My heartfelt gratitude to you for your kind words and shares here. You always inspire me tons. hope you have a nice day ahead:-)
I love this hub.. those lost letters those lost yesterdays. voted up and awesome and interesting
sharing
Debbie
- Author
Your votes, shares.....its most appreciated here, Debbie
Thank you from bottom of my heart dear.
luvs and huggs
Deergha
no technology can originate those feelings-impregnated words that hearts produce ! ..losing yester years' written memories is something like the loss of some treasure, and a writers heart understands it better !
Awesome, worth voting up!
- Author
my friend,
thank you so much for your kind visit and these words of wisdom. Yeah i do agree...writers heart aches for those pure thrills some simple hand writings used to create in the bottom of many hearts.
your vote is also much appreciated here.
luv
deergha
You tell lovely stories, Deergha. I also miss the excitement of getting a letter in the mail. The thicker the envelope, the better! Thanks for the nice note you left me. I appreciate the follow.
- Author
Thank you so much my dearest new friend,
welcome to my slice of the world:-)
Thanks for your kind words here.
Its appreciated from the bottom of my heart.
deergha
I too miss getting letters! Very well said!
- Author
Thank you Audrey for your kind visit and comment here. It is always appreciated.
I cannot begin to tell you how much i appreciated this piece. I often long to write letters to friends and have to family only to never get a response. I too know the love and excitement involved in the feel and smell and weight of a handwritten letter. It has always thrilled me and I hope to one day soon thrill those around me with random notes and letters and reminders that they're in my heart and i'm thinking about them. I'm so sad you have lost your letters, but the only thing to do is make more. I have boxes of mine from people that are no longer around, i love to go back through and read them to think of happier times. Great hub, i loved what you shared. Thank you!
- Author
Dear Amy,
thank you for your kind words here. Its so gr8 to know that you have treasure of many memories to go through whenever you wish so packed in a box.
Dear, you are always welcome here and your view is much appreciated here.
luv
deergha
Even with advanced communication technologies such as emails, honestly i do still miss those letter. The feeling that someone sat down and actually wrote a letter to you was awesome. Voted up.
Hi deergha,
What a lovely warm reminder of the great art and importance of letter writing. I used to write to many friends and pen-pals throughout the world and love letter writing. Thanks for a wonderful step down memory lane!! Voted up, interesting, awesome and shared on!
- Author
Thank you @dwachira...SORRY for a delayed response here. Your view is much appreciated here. Thanks again....!
deergha
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Dear Suzie,
Many thanks that you took time of to go through this one. Yes past things do pull me a lot and i prefer to put my feeling in writings here and there many times. Nice to know that you had a trip down memory lane and my hub could make you feel those warmth of the letters we are almost forgetting now a days. Thanks for your visit, view, votes and shares. God bless you always
deerghs
There is nothing more wonderful than receiving letters. I myself kept hundreds of old letters from friends and loved ones in the past. Just knowing that someone out there took time to sit and write a short note means a lot. Nothing can replaced the joy of getting one this day despite the new tech we have today.
Thank you for sharing this.
- Author
Many thanks for your time here @Sweet Epistles......it means a lot always to have your visit here. You are absolutely rite. Those letter had the profound and warm touch of the loved ones with it but which we do miss now a days a lot. Take care and God bless you
deergha
I enjoyed everything about writing letters and still do, from buying the stationary to selecting pens. I even had a collection of wax seals that I would use to seal my letters. It was an added bonus if I was able to match a stamp to the letter.
This was a treat to read about your love of writing and receiving letters. There was definitely a thrill that went along with getting a letter from a relative or a friend and you portrayed that in your writing. Thanks for sharing your memories. It was fun.
Take good care.
Thanks for the nice read! I'm always excited to receive letters through mail. Everything's digital nowadays.
When I saw this piece, I had to read it, for I still partake in that tradition. I have a friend from Australia that sends me postage stamps for my stamp collection. She also makes her own greeting cards. There is another friend attending university in Taiwan from Kolkatta. These are definitely treasures, much more personal than the cold internet. If you want to do that again, you let me know!
- Author
Yessssss, sure i would like to do that. I am mailing you. Hope you check your mail. Thank you. God bless you
deergha
Ah, what a nostalgic, sweet, hub eliciting the joys of receiving postal mail as a child and young adult.
Like you, I kept most of those old letters for a long time, but through the years and various moves, many have now been lost.
In this high-tech age, receiving a "real" card or letter is cherished more than ever.
Voting this hub up and interesting.
- Author
Thank you and sorry for such a delayed response@Happyboomernurse.....glad that you liked this hub. Your votes are always much appreciated for. Take care and God bless you
deergha
What a lovely, lovely hub. I had forgotten how nice it was to get letters and to feel them and turn them over before opening them.
And calling your postman "Uncle". How truly memory reviving.
I have a photograph in sepia of me as a Chota Sahib stretching up to receive a letter from the Post Wallah on his bicycle. Thank you so much for bringing back sweet memories for me.
- Author
Twilight Lawns............many thanks for making your time to go through this....I am happy that you made a sweet visit to those long lost memory lane.....You are always welcome...God bless you and take care
deergha
The pure and simple joy of receiving and writing letters and cards is no more seen with the advent of computer and mobile phone. I do miss those wonderful times.
Thanks for transporting me back to those beautiful days of simple pleasures.
Voted up and beautiful. Shared!
I still send hand written letters, cards and postcards just for fun. Who doesn't enjoy receiving a surprise in the mail that's not a bill? I know I enjoy it as do my friends. I send plenty of emails, but they are not as special as a hand written letter. Thank you for reminding others! :)
I couldn't have thought out the subject so deeply as you have. Thank you for expressing your heartfelt sentiments and giving me -- and others -- occasion to delve into some of the familiar 'pining feelings' toward yesteryear when writing and receiving letters was one of the simple joys of everyday life.
Voting up, awesome and Sharing.
- Author
Hi Rajan,
Many thanks for making your precious time to go through this .....You are rite we always miss those moments of pure and simple thrill which is rare now a days....take care and God bless you
deergha
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Hi Sunshine
I am fan of your wonderful hubs and your visit is valuable for me always.....Its nice to know that you are keeping the golden habit of hand written letters and cards...I am honored for at least my endeavor in creating a reminder about those yesterdays has become successful here..take care and God bless you always
deergha
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Hi Pamela,
Many thanks for reading this and taking your time off to leaving a view here. Those were simple and easy days full of emotions which our next gen will hardly ever get to feel. These are precious, never the less for me and so decided to write my feelings. Thank you once again
Take care and God bless you
deergha
What you've said here is so true. We're missing out on a part of culture that has lasted through the ages. I still hold onto the hand scripted letters my Dad wrote me when he was overseas, knowing that his hand touched those pages along with my heart. His personality shines through in the parallel cursive letters which his pen formed and the thoughts and love expressed. Hard to get that from an email.
- Author
Many thanks for your heartfelt comment here@PegCole17. I can feel your feelings and I am happy that you still preserve those much special letters from your father. Take care and God bless you
deergha
What a lovely thing, to share a part of these wondrous times of yours Deergha and indeed, receiving a hand-written letter is as a gift now.
Electronic mail is a marvel to behold but the physicality of holding a heartfelt confidence as the heady perfume drifts a welcome arrest of all the senses is an incomparable ticket to paradise for which an e-mail is sadly found wanting.
An enjoyment to read your article about such nostalgia today.
Best Wishes to you and your nearest and dearest;
R.Q.
- Author
R Q,
Many thanks for your time and precious words to weave a high flying echelon of encouragement here. I seriously miss those times when my friends used to send handwritten letters which is a thing of PAST not so forgotten for me at least. The time involved and the emotion all are lacking now with this email thing and the net of course. It has got its own advantages like without this technology i would have never get to know friends from across the world like you yes, i agree. But I am true here, I miss those letters.
Thank you for you enjoyed reading my this hub here and coming from you....it is really a big comment for me.
Thank you for your wishes.
I hope your sister now is coming out from the issue she just fell over again after coping up from you Mom's recovery. I wish your Mom is recovering well enough.
Take care of yourself also R Q.....many smiles your way.
God bless you and your family.
Deergha
Love this! I really appreciate getting handwritten letters. And every month, I send a handwritten card to each of my children.
Great article. Thanks for writing,
Namaste
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