I have something to show you. This is just in from San Diego, California; or rather, someplace very near San Diego. Jean is a new penpal and is new to penpalling. Like many of us she is remembering the value of and recovering the art of letter writing. I am impressed that someone professing to be new to penpalling should already be an expert mail artist. Just look at this. It is a gift, complete with bow. Just wait till I show you the inside. This work of art frames the green tag in the center (see the picture below). It says, "Hold fast to the dreams within your heart. Believe in their power to make a difference in your life." Penpals often send me quotes and I always feel that though the words are not their own, they are an expression of the sender's own ideas or hopes, something they identify with and have claimed as their own. Certainly, a person can share any random quote unrelated to their beliefs but I do not think that is the case. I believe that when people share either quote or verse they do so precisely because it has meaning to them and for that reason I always feel that such enclosures aid me in getting to know the person who took the trouble to share it with me. Finally, a view at the back. Jean's daughter is starting to draw...a personal touch indeed. I am beginning to understand mail art as self-revelation. As much can be told in art as in letter and naturally, the art can be shared whereas a personal conversation can not be. While I can not boast of being a mail artist, I appreciate those who are. Thank you, Jean; I shall be writing to you today!
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Letter Matters
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