Make your communication handwritten and heartfelt

One can make the argument that communication may be the single most important aspect of human existence. I couldn't agree more.

As a professional communicator, I strive daily to communicate as effectively as possible. I've found there's no better way to connect with those who aren't close enough to visit than through handwritten letters. From soldiers and their sweethearts corresponding during wartime, to close friends spread across the country keeping each other up to date on their lives, there are great examples of the power of the handwritten word all around us.

In a study conducted by Pilot Corporation of America (yes they make pens, such as America's favorite Pilot G2, for instance), nine out of 10 respondents perceived cards with handwritten notes as more thoughtful and heartfelt than cards with pre-printed messages. And 92 percent recalled saving handwritten cards or letters from a loved one as a cherished keepsake.

Letter writing is also good for the author. Steve Toepfer from Kent State University studied the perks one gets from penning letters. Toepfer asserts that by making a habit of writing letters of gratitude, "you'll feel happier, you'll feel more satisfied, and if you're suffering from depressive symptoms, your symptoms will decrease."

The art of letter writing forms a powerful connection between the author and the recipient, and it has been shown to stimulate the mind in ways that other types of communication lack. Because handwriting is a much slower process than talking or typing, it allows the sender a greater opportunity to be intentional with her words. And reading written communication allows the recipient time to delve deeper into those words, and time to reflect without the need to give an immediate response.

Think about it- If handwritten cards weren't effective communication, slick marketers wouldn't try so hard to replicate them. How many times have you gotten junk mail that's made to look like a handwritten card? Upon inspection, it's easy to tell that it's machine produced, with the perfect script font and the "stamp" printed right onto the envelope. If I don't pay close attention though, I fall into the trap and find myself opening this junk mail in disguise. And I'm disappointed every time.

One thing I haven't been disappointed in so far is my children's efforts to make Mother's Day special for me. I've been the recipient of many handwritten and hand-drawn cards. I even have a bundle of "coupons" I can redeem, one for a hug and another for a girls movie night. I don't know if I'll ever use them all.

My favorite Mother's Day card so far, though, wasn't really a card at all, but it was handmade. One year, my daughters (age 10 and 7 at the time) took a stack of brightly-colored paper from our art stash and hand-cut the letters of H-A-P-P-Y M-O-T-H-E-R-S D-A-Y out of them. They made one letter out of each sheet, so the letters were about 10 inches tall. With the help of their dad, they taped the letters to the wall in our living room that Sunday morning. My artistic children had found a new way to use their "hands" to send me a very visual, heartfelt message. I took a picture of them proudly presenting me with their greeting, and that photo now comes up in my memories on my phone May 11 nearly every year.

I get handwritten "letters to the editor" and notes of encouragement at work once in a while, and I'm always eager to read them.

Dear readers, I hereby challenge each of you to mail a handwritten note or card to at least one person that's on your mind this week. Better yet, send one a week for a month, or even a year. Let's give our local mail carriers some job security, and our friends and family something to look forward to when they check their mailbox.

Need ideas on who to write? Well, I've got a few.

• It's Skilled Nursing Care Week. Now is a good time to think of the devoted individuals who provide excellent care to our elders and to those recovering from major surgeries or other medical conditions in skilled nursing facilities. If there's a CNA, nurse or activity staff member you and your loved one interact with frequently, let them know you appreciate them with a handwritten thank you note. Cards and letters can be sent locally to (YOUR FAVORITE STAFF MEMBER'S NAME HERE), Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, 1226 1st Ave N, New Rockford, ND 58356, or Golden Acres Manor, 1 Main St, Carrington, N.D. 58421.

• Next week is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, and I'm sure our local volunteer first responders would appreciate a handwritten card thanking them for their dedication. Watch for our special feature in the May 16 edition of this newspaper, recognizing them for their efforts.

• High school graduates, consider handwriting those thank you cards to the family members and friends who showed up and financially supported you on your big day. There are family friends who still remember the handwritten cards I sent them for gifts I received for my high school graduation and wedding. To you, snail mail may seem outdated or boring; but for your grandparents, it's a sentimental tradition. Even if they know how to text, they will still truly appreciate slicing open a handwritten card or note.

• Best Friends Day is around the corner, observed on June 8 each year. Let your best friend know that he or she is on your mind, no matter how far apart you are.

Is someone on your mind? Take the time right here and now to pen a quick note just because, to let him or her know you're thinking of them.