Getting Started with 52 Letters, 52 Weeks

52 Letters, 52 Weeks: Letter #1

The last time I made New Year's resolutions, I failed in epic proportions. I believe my list of resolutions looked something like this:

1. Work out 3 times a week. (I failed miserably. I don't want to talk about it.)

2. Read all of C.S. Lewis' seven Chronicles of Narnia books. (Have you seen that anthology? It weighs about 20 pounds. I think I read the first three, then lost interest.)

3. Walk my dog every day. (Not even close.)

The following year, my resolution was not to make a New Year's Resolution. That worked out pretty well for me. It was the first time I actually followed my resolution through to the end of the year.

For 2012, I had my feet firmly planted on the ground, resolved yet again not to make a resolution. I was going to laugh in the face of common practice and just flail my way through a new year, like I always do.

Then, I saw the website for The 52 Letters Project, and fell in love. JoAnna Haugen, a freelance writer, started this project as her way to reconnect with her love for pretty paper and sparkly pens, and that feeling of opening an envelope, addressed to you, that arrives magically in your mail box.

The idea is simple: Just take out a pen, some paper and a stamp and write a letter. Once a week. To someone you care about.

I'm totally going to do this. I've written before about my love for typewriters, but I come from a long line of prolific letter writers, and sparkly pens and pretty notecards are just as thrilling.

And of course, who doesn't enjoy receiving a letter? Emails and texts are nice, but it can't compete with the loopy handwritten word, sealed in an envelope containing a message inside that's only meant for you.

My first letter went out last week. I sent it to my dear friend Korie, who lives over 2,000 miles away from me. Along with the letter, I sent a hand-knitted prayer shawl that I made for her. I wanted her to know that even though we don't see each other, sometimes for years at a time, I still love her as my friend. I can still remember how it felt to sing next to her in our little singing group. I told her I wished I could give her a hug.

It's a start. Check out the 52 Letters website and see what you think. If it's something you'd like to do, join me!