Letters
Reopening one’s memory box where old letters (from high school or previous work perhaps) are kept may be a wonderful experience. The act does not signify a wish to go back to the previous state of things. But reliving memories makes you smile when you recognize how events helped you grow into the mature, happy person you are now.
However, holding and rereading letters that came from people who used to matter to us most may require a certain amount of courage. Friends who are already busy with their own lives, people whom we think have wronged us, or a lover who once said he’ll never leave or forget. Not everyone’s comfortable with reading or even keeping those letters that remind of the past. Even for the strong and when we least expect it, one might just find a tear rolling down the cheek once those words touch the heart again.
Still thinking if you should open that box? Consider these:
1. A letter may remind of the goodness and love that friends showed you. It may inspire you to reach out. It’s never too late to rekindle a friendship, possibly over Saturday brunch or coffee chat.
2. Just like keeping photos or a blog like this, reading letters from years or a decade ago is enriching. Ultimately, you’re capable of embracing change when it comes.
3. Sometimes we become too busy with the daily grind, forgetting that we ourselves have changed and forgotten. Rereading letters may enlighten us on how other people perceived our character and what good things we can maintain.
In this image, I have put together letters from Meline (when I was at the hospital), Ara (college semester was about to end), kuya George (nearing my high school graduation), and my trainee Paula (when her OJT was about done). It would be nice if they’d know that theirs are among the letters I kept and cherished all these years.
However, holding and rereading letters that came from people who used to matter to us most may require a certain amount of courage. Friends who are already busy with their own lives, people whom we think have wronged us, or a lover who once said he’ll never leave or forget. Not everyone’s comfortable with reading or even keeping those letters that remind of the past. Even for the strong and when we least expect it, one might just find a tear rolling down the cheek once those words touch the heart again.
Still thinking if you should open that box? Consider these:
1. A letter may remind of the goodness and love that friends showed you. It may inspire you to reach out. It’s never too late to rekindle a friendship, possibly over Saturday brunch or coffee chat.
2. Just like keeping photos or a blog like this, reading letters from years or a decade ago is enriching. Ultimately, you’re capable of embracing change when it comes.
3. Sometimes we become too busy with the daily grind, forgetting that we ourselves have changed and forgotten. Rereading letters may enlighten us on how other people perceived our character and what good things we can maintain.
In this image, I have put together letters from Meline (when I was at the hospital), Ara (college semester was about to end), kuya George (nearing my high school graduation), and my trainee Paula (when her OJT was about done). It would be nice if they’d know that theirs are among the letters I kept and cherished all these years.
