Yesterday, I wandered next door to chat with a neighbor. Minutes later in her kitchen, I mentioned how I’d recently met a distant relative from New York State for the first time. In retrospect, I realized I’d forgotten to ask that person if they’d attended the same Quaker boarding and day school in Pennsylvania as did my mother and her sister, and later a cousin.
My neighbor mentioned her grandmother’s twelve-sibling circle letter. A large family, so each had to use thin paper to fit a dozen letters in one envelope. Once read, the recipient was given two days to peruse the letters, then to write a new one, add it to the others, and send the bundle on its way.
“A quick turnaround,” I said. “Most Amish readers of circle letters are given a week.” My neighbor smiled. She’s an Economics professor, who has politely listened to me speak of the Amish often.
I walk to this mailbox often.
Circle letters can cover any subject, such as a support group or common interests, but I like the idea of a family circle letter. I don’t have much of an extended family. My sister, who lives across town, emails and calls often. Not to mention our many lunches out. My favorite cousin in CT and I are a phone call away. I enjoy the sound of her enthusiastic voice. Her parents were my favorite aunt and uncle. She doesn’t use the Internet, so I receive no emails from her. Neither my sister nor my cousin is on Facebook.
Truth is, I know few of my relatives that I know of, partly because my father, a single child, moved to the Pacific Northwest for his job to chair a department at the University. Both my parents have died, as have my aunts and uncles.
I can’t hang onto everything, but my saved letters bring back fond memories.
How about you? How many letters do you receive? Bills and junkmail don’t count. Thank-you notes seem to be a dying breed. My mother-in-law writes many, but I wonder if they’d subside if she were on Facebook. Are emails and Facebook adequate substitutes for letters? I love Christmas cards, but I’ve received less over the past few years and admit I send fewer.
As an author, my readers occasionally write letters and I love them! And I’ve collected personal letters for many years. I reluctantly force myself to toss out most Christmas cards after a few months.
Would you like to be part of a letter circle or start your own? Which would you rather receive: a handwritten letter, meaning you should reply in kind, or a Facebook message or post you can immediately respond to? A telephone call or a rap on your front door from a neighbor? Do you save correspondences the way I do?
Amish-made Shop-N-Tote from Lancaster County.
Leave a comment and enter to win this Amish-made Shop-N-Tote (unfolds to a bag) plus a signed copy of one book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: winner’s choice of CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish! Winner has three days to respond. USA & Canada.
Due to probs with hands I no longer can write that much
longhand. So miss writing letters and thank God for
Facebook and Email. I do talk via phone when I can.
Would love to win this. Thanks for the chance. Good
luck to all
Thanks for visiting my blog, Patti! Because I spent so much time typing, I’m using my voice activated feature on my computer right now. I also have Dragon Dictate. Neither work perfectly, but it gives my hands a break. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
What a lovely idea to have circle letters! I dearly love surprise letters in my mailbox …. so precious to have a personal touch of a friend in one. The tote is wonderful as well, many thanks for sharing this idea – can’t wait to start a circle letter with my friends.
Thanks visiting my blog and leaving a comment, Kris! I hope you do start a circle letter with your friends. Let me know how it goes. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I still take pen to paper and love getting letters in the mail. I do use email for some people but there are certain people where I prefer to write a letter.
Excellent, Janet! I’m sure the recipients of your letters appreciate you very much. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I still take pen to paper but love to receive letters in the mail. I do send emails but prefer hand written to certain people.
Wonderful, Janet! Those certain people must appreciate you very much. I find I get my best ideas when I am writing by hand. I must use a different part of the brain. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would love to be part of a circle letter. Unfortunately, in our world today, we want to know everything asap. That said, Facebook is best for today.
Facebook does seem to be my venue of choice too, Elaine! However my sister and most of my relatives do not use it. Several of my favorite relatives and friends don’t even write emails. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
My grandma did circle letters with her family and my grandpas family. My dad took it over after the deaths of them both, but the letter is no longer around. Everyone is emailing or Facebooking.
I love getting a letter in the mail and being able to read it and hold it (just like I’d rather read a book ), but I do admit I do more on Facebook and email because it is so easy and quick.
I would rather hold a letter in my hand too, Andrea! What fun that your grandparents and then your father wrote circle letters. The only problem I can see is that the circle letters only reside at your home for one week. The only letter you may retain is your own, after you’ve written another. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I prefer handwritten letters. But that is dying out, and I admit, some people have horrible handwriting, so maybe email from them is better. It has taken 19 years for my husband to develop the skills to decipher my aunt’s writing. 6 years dating and 13 marriage. She now can email, but still writes letters.
Your comment made me smile, Karen! What a cute story about your aunt. My father, Chairman of the Classics Department, and my mother, an accomplished sculptress, both had terrible handwriting. Since my father was an expert on Ancient Greek I can understand why he might have had unusual handwriting, but my mother graduated from an excellent college. I used to translate their letters to my teachers … usually correctly. I wonder if parents email teachers now or if teachers even send notes home with the children. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would love being a part of a circle letter. I never get letters anymore. I get birthday cards and Christmas cards but not as many as I use to get and I send out more than I get. I miss getting letters and writing them and it’s not fun writing them and getting no response back. I wonder why I have a phone because I hardly get any calls. I have one friend that calls me every day. I hate talking to someone on fb because it takes so long and I hate not hearing their voice. I don’t get many visitors either. I miss the days before the computers. Being disabled and pretty much homebound if I didn’t have the computer my contact would be just about nothing.
Having one good friend call you every day sounds like a blessing, Jenny! I don’t know what part of the country you live in, but I am often the instigator when it comes to get-togethers and phone calls. Sounds as though you might invite a neighbor over for tea. You might’ve noticed in my blog post that I wandered next door without an invitation and was welcomed. Of course, not everyone is that accommodating and generous. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I love hand written letters from my family at home. I save them all. Many have passed on now and the letters seem to keep me close to them. I think home made cards have a special love attached to them. I try to make birthday and holiday cards a little extra special.
Making birthday and holiday cards yourself means you’re special, Sparkle! How very generous. When I look at some letters from my parents I’m transported back into time. Love it! And since my mother was a sculptress, I have reminders of her all over the house. Thanks for leaving your lovely comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I prefer letter writing. But online contact is faster. I guess it is now that people take the time to write and mail it out, there seems to be more thought behind it. Some people though have bad handwriting,like my aunt. It has taken 6 years of dating and 12 years of marriage where he can decipher her writing without me translating. He read a whole letter of hers last year without help.
Thanks for your fun comment, Karen! I enjoyed reading about your dear aunt and your patient husband. Most men would have given up after 18 years, so I admire him. I received a letter last week that I couldn’t decipher, and felt terrible because the person had gone to all that trouble. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love surprise letters in the mailbox. I did a pen pal thing a few weeks ago and it was fun. It seems like Facebook and emails are a thing for today to keep in touch.
I love surprises in the mailbox too, Kathy! I order a lot online because I’m not much of a shopper and enjoy receiving packages. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love to receive mail. We recently moved and I also check the mailbox for news from “home”. I’d love to do this too
How great that you receive news from home in the form of letters, Kathy! Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would prefer a note or a letter but in this day and age people are “too busy” . . . I am extremely happy to receive via Facebook lots of photos of my grandkids and videos of my 6 great grandkids. Facebook messaging and emails are great, too. Phone calls usually are unanswered and you hear “please leave a message!!
Wow, six great-grandkids, Joan! Wonderful. I also love photos and videos of my young grandkids on Facebook. I find the same thing with phone calls, even when I leave a message. Better to “go with the flow” and use FB or email. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I don’t know much about circle letters and I have to admit I don’t really write letters. But sometimes I get letters from authors thanking me for joining their mailing lists of such and I love finding those in the mail.
My preferred way of communication is face to face of course, but I really love any way to stay in touch with my friends. Email, Facebook or phone are all work great for me 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Face to face is my preference also, Samantha! But email, FB or a phone call work well for me too. I have one friend whom I know I will speak to for at least 30 minutes on the phone, but it’s the only way we stay in touch so I cherish the time. An email from her would not be the same because I can’t hear her voice. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I enjoy receiving letters in the mail more than messages via text or facebook. There’s just something about handling a letter or card that was mailed. I enjoy sending letters and cards also. Before my grandmother passed away we tried writing to one another weekly. I would be glad to do circulating letters with family and friends. I cherish letters and cards from family members who has gone on to their heavenly home as I feel their love rereading them. Blessings and thank you for the contest.
You sound like the perfect person to start a circle letter, Mari! The trick would be finding others with the same passion for writing letters, which seems to be fading away. I also adore looking through my old family members’ correspondence as I do their photos. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Hi Kate, I love personal written letters. Unfortunately most people have turned to the more modern ways of technology to communicate. Its seems with the business of lives it is a more convenient way to stay in touch. I met my best friend through FB as a pen pal. We still occasionally write letters but also use the modern conveniences as well. Thank you for sharing. I think it would be fun to be part of a circulating letter. Blessings
Thank you for writing and sharing your story of meeting your friend, Lisa! I have friends I met on FB but have never seen in person. At least I have their photos, unlike the Amish who do not allow photographs. Several people I’ve met through FB have helped me incredibly. I am so grateful for their generosity and support, and also grateful for all my FB followers and readers, including you. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I so much liked your article. I have only 3 siblings left of 8, no aunts or uncles, and cousins I have never known, and few that I haven’t heard from in years. This sounds like such a good idea. May try it out and see who responds. As I have never read any of your books, I sure would love to win one.
I would love to have you read one of my books, Marilyn! If you try out a circle letter and it works, please let me know. I wonder how many would respond or if everyone has given up and only uses the Internet. I don’t write many letters as I spend my day writing … For me, chatting with a neighbor in person or my sister on the phone is often a welcome break. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I love this idea of circle letters although we say almost everything on facebook in our family; What a neat idea!
Circle letters are a great idea, although I doubt anyone in my neighbors’ family writes them anymore. Without the Internet, Amish are far better candidates. Although they do love chatting on the phone when given a chance. I love that your whole family is on Facebook, a great way to keep in touch. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I remember circle letters, I did one when I was younger with other kids! Letters are always a treat and so personal, way better than email! Technology is good but letters are such a traditional , great way to keep in touch!
How wonderful that you used to be part of a circle letter, Amanda! The world moves at such a fast pace … And yet we miss a lot by dashing off emails. I’d much rather speak on the phone with my sister. And I have several relatives in friends who don’t use the Internet. Fortunately, I can usually catch them near a phone. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would much rather have a hand written letter. I have letters written by my mother and other relatives who have all passed. They are so special to me. So having a hand written letter from someone means a lot to me.
Hand written letters mean a lot to me too, Linda! Fortunately, my husband has started to collect his mothers beautiful letters as my letter-folders are bulging. I have a hard time throwing away Christmas cards and cards from my husband, but unless there is a personal note I force myself to. Our house is full of paper, receipts, and catalogs. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I don’t think that email and Facebook messages are a good substitute for a handwritten letter but, if that is the only way to keep in touch, I will take it. Most of my family does email, Facebook and text and it allows us to keep in real time contact with each other. Sometimes that’s really good too because time passes between handwritten letters.
I agree with you, Karen! These days, any way you can keep in touch with family is a gift. The turnaround time is certainly faster. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love to get mil especially cards…. but have never heard of circle mail
Finding cards in your mail-slot or mailbox is always fun, Tricha! The Amish have no option when it comes to using the Internet so they continue the tradition of circle letters. I want to buy some new notecards myself after hearing so many wonderful comments. Thanks for leaving yours and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love mail, cards are so meaningful to let someone know you are thinking of them. Circle letters would be fun. I enjoy hearing from my nephew and nieces any way I can….texts, email, FB occasionally a card! Love your giveaways and blog posts….Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Thanks for your encouraging comment, Linda! I agree, I’m thrilled to hear from family members any way I can, a rare occurrence unless I initiate. Many of my family and friends are not on FB and several do not send emails at all. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Cards and letters in the mailbox are few and far between these days and I miss them. Always such a treat to go to the mailbox and have happy mail.
A card or letter in the mailbox is a rare treat, Carolyn! Receiving yet another bill or advertisement is not happy mail. I am grateful for the paper-recycle even if we must pay for it. Our recycle bin is always full. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love to write and receive hand written letters. To me they are more personal than the ones that you receive on the internet. I like to keep the cards and letters that I receive from family and friends. For me it is hard to save pictures that are sent through the internet. Having the actual pictures to put in a frame or photo album to share and show off my family always puts a smile on my face.
I hope I am one of the lucky winners!
Thanks for writing, Pam! Agree with you. I love my digital camera, but miss having prints for my albums. Our kids hated having their pictures taken but they love looking through our old photo albums. Like you, I usually hang onto cards and letters from family members, but sometimes force myself to recycle them as I run out of space. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
people use to do circulating letter a while back,i don’t here of them doing it any more.
I think the Amish are the most likely to use circle letters, Barbara. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
My sister and I use the internet to keep in touch, we email several times a week. And my extended family is on facebook so I can see all the new babies and keep up with their news.
I love getting letters but I am not very good at answering in a timely fashion. The Christmas cards usually come with a letter from the family far away and I usually write in mine too. My BFF and I talk on the phone two or three times a year. I used to want a pen pal when I was a kid but spent most of my time with my horse and never got to it. When I read about the Amish circle letters I thought how fun that would be. I have two sisters one I grew up with and the other from a different mother who was born the year I got out of HS so I never got very close to her until the last few years. My family is rather small, my husbands family is large and lots of fun
Same with me, Jan! My husband’s family is large and tightly-knit, while my half is small and scattered. It is fun keeping in touch and seeing photos of new babies on Facebook. If I had a horse as a child I would no doubt be spending more time with it than writing letters. (I did take horseback riding lessons and loved it.) Thanks for your lovely comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Kate…..I too have very little family…I am an only child by default…6 siblings have passed away 5 as young children…I never knew them and then my brother and I were born and the he was killed in a car wreck in 1999…hence I am an only child now. My mom is 15 mins away and our correspondence is via Facebook or telephone mostly.
My other family is not close at all…if we get a Christmas card it is a moment to cherish.
I have a few Amish friends that I correspond with via the mail and I tell you I wait with baited breath after sending a letter for a response! I love getting letters…they seem like the BEST gift EVER!! I too save all my correspondences in a big tin. I love to sift through and read and see where life has been and where it has come to!
Thanks for the opportunity of prizes that you have made available!
Good luck to all!
Allyson
Thank you so much for your fascinating comment, Allyson! You certainly grew up with unusual circumstances, and then to lose your brother was tragic. I’m glad you have your mom only 15 minutes away and that you correspond on Facebook and telephone. The other half of your family makes me sigh. Many people have asked me how they can find an Amish pen-pal. I would very much appreciate your getting back to me if you have any information on that. My Amish friends and I usually keep in touch over the phone or face-to-face. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I used to be a real prolific letter writer in my younger years. Now I am happy to have email to speed things up a little and save some time. I have many letters from grandparents in Germany that I only got to know through letters. One grandmother only saw me as an infant, the other visited us in America for 6 months and then I never saw her again. So letters was how I got to know family. My family immigrated when I was a young girl. No relatives were in the US and no other family members ever immigrated. So now my mom is happy to be able to Skype her sister in Germany every day. Beats waiting for a letter! But that is what they had to do for many, many years. I also wrote to cousins and got to know them and eventually visited them in Germany and they visited us in America.
I enjoyed reading your comment, Sonja! Very interesting and a good demonstration on the importance of letter writing. What fun that your mother can Skype her sister in Germany everyday now! I’m glad you got to know your cousins through letters and then visits. Thank you for entering the giveaway. I’m wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
I have to admit I have gotten spoiled to Facebook Messenger and emails because the response is almost instant. I do love getting letters in the mail too- I miss the days when the only “letter communications” were by mail so I guess I would prefer an old fashioned letter through the mail! I would love to part of a family circle group ….that would be neat.
dowelljanet@hotmail.com
I put all my letters/cards in a special scrapbook!
It would be fun, Janet! But I’m also spoiled by FB and emails, and often need a quick or want response. What did we do before Facebook and emails? Send letters and call on phone. Yet having a family circle group would be very special. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I love receiving cards and letters that are handwritten!!!
I enjoy receiving them too, Christy! However, I admit to being tardy when returning letters. I’m also running late returning emails. Sometimes I get so far behind … I could spend a whole day getting caught up. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love getting hand written letter s and reading them, my second choice is getting phone calls. But it is also nice to hear from someone on facebook as well. I will keep letters for a long time and read them over & over again.
I keep many letters for a long time too, Juanita! I can’t imagine throwing some away. I enjoy getting phone calls also, especially now that I have hands-free phones so I can multitask. Just enjoy hearing a friend or relatives voice. Still, if I had to pick I probably choose Facebook. I have met so many lovely people through FB! Thanks for leaving your note and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love letters written and mailed. A while back I found some my Aunt’s had sent me…they have passed on but reading their letters brought so many happy memories.
What a lovely surprise, Karen! I wonder what I’d find if I sifted through my old letters. One of these days … Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t really receive any letters, and I must admit I don’t write many either. But I think that’s too bad.
Receiving a letter in the mail is so much better than receiving an email. It also feels more personal when someone has taken the time to write to you on paper. It feels like the person writing to you has put more care into it.
I believe we should go back to that way of communicating. It’s so much better than electronic messages. 😉
Lots of thanks for the giveaway and interesting post!
Thanks for sharing your opinions, Melody! I do receive mail. Most are wedding invitations and the such. Always exciting and fun. Much better than an Evite. I love it when a Christmas card actually contains a handwritten message. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Our family did a circle letter a couple of years ago. It was interesting to read what everyone had written.
What fun, Ruth! A family circle letter would be interesting, but apparently yours fizzled out as do most … unless you’re Amish. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love going to the mailbox and receiving something other than junk mail and bills.But unfortunately this rarely happens.I would love to read some of the amish circle letters.I always look forward to reading your post Kate,I love them and your pictures are amazing.Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your encouragement, Jackie! Our paper recycle container is always bulging with junk mail. Too bad I can’t just throw away the bills; they also come with envelopes and advertising. Maybe my blog is my rendition of a letter? I certainly enjoy receiving comments from it. Best luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I enjoy receiving letters in the mail and sending letters or cards of encouragement to friends and family members. Finding a personal letter or card in the mailbox just brightens the day and you can see the personal hand writing of the individual who sent the letter and it’s more personal. I cherish letters and cards from family members and friends who has passed on. Blessings Kate and thank you for the contest.
You are a sweetheart, Marilyn, to not only enjoy receiving but, also sending letters and cards of encouragement. I’m sure your friends and family appreciate them. I also cherish letters from family members and friends who have passed on. Just seeing their handwriting on the envelope fills me with warmth. Blessings to you and thanks for entering the contest!
Kate
i
i would love to win
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Wanda! I’d love to have you win.
Kate
I love the knock at the door visits!