Dear Friend...

These words were penned on a cool day in March of 1927 somewhere in the midwestern plains of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: 

Dear Friend:

The great love which I have hither to expressed for you 
is false and I find that my indifference for you
increases daily. The more I see you the more
you appear in my eyes the object of contempt. 
I feel myself in every way disposed and determined
to hate you. I can insure you that I never intended 
to love you. Our last conversation has 
left an expression on my mind which by no means 
impressed me with your standard and character
and your temper would make me extremely unhappy.
And if we were united I would experience nothing but
hatred of my friends, adding to the dis-
pleasure of living with you. I indeed have a heart
to bestow, but don't imagine it
at your service. I would not give it to anyone else
more inconsistent and capacious than yourself
and be capable of doing justice to myself and family.
I think that you are aware of the fact that 
I speak sincerely and hope you do me the favor of
avoiding me. You need not trouble yourself about
answering this letter as your excuses are only full of
impertinence and not a shadow of
will and sense. Believe me
I am so adverse to you that it is impossible for me
to be your loving and affectionate "sweetheart". 
- Just Me

P.S. - I suppose that you are like all the others and read all 
the correspondence. I only intended for you to read every
other line.  


The author of this letter would have been one to meet. Imagine the creative abilities stored into the mind that penned these words. In a time before social media and television as we know it, such creativity could only come from the inspiration of personal experiences. Picture an environment that demanded attention for it was the only source from which to receive information. In the early part of the 20th century, a brisk commute to the workplace would not have been cluttered with smart phones, step-tracking watches, or any of the modern devices that constantly distract our focus from our surroundings. Instead, a 1927 commuter would observe the weather, tip his hat to a passerby, and spot a stray dog digging through a back alley trash bin. He would watch his surroundings closely for it was his sole source into a world beyond his own. 

Letter writing takes such focus. While it is executed as a novelty in today's world, yesteryear's letter writing found its very essence in the power of observation. If Mary wanted her mother (who lived 600 miles away) to know about little Jim's latest disaster, she couldn't snap a picture and send it through the airwaves. Instead, Mary had to remember each detail of little Jim's untimely entrance straight into a large mud puddle. Then before she retired for the night she would sit at her writing desk, take out her stationary and pen the scene. It may have even sounded like this:

Mother, I wish you could have been here when Jim fell into the mud. I've never seen his little face show so much surprise, disgust, and eventually delight at the feeling of oozing mud dripping from his hair. Yes, he fell face first. It was a sight for certain. As he fell into the puddle, splashes of mud flew in all directions, barely missing my freshly washed laundry hanging on the line. My attempts to clean him up were constantly interrupted by my uncontrollable laughter. It reminded me of that one time, remember, Mother? When I...

In a time when technology fills in the details for us, the potential exist for humans to lose sight of the unique ability to gain information through the power of observation. Is that so bad? Maybe not. Yet, think of the joy you gain when someone tells you a story with skill and passion. Think of the special feeling that fills your heart when you receive a handwritten note or letter from a friend or loved one. That feeling stems from the realization that there is someone out there that cared enough about you that they would use their ability of observation to share a piece of their world. 

So, go observe something. Sit at your favorite coffee shop and watch the happenings. Put down your device and notice something. Take a walk downtown with someone special and point out your favorite spots. Take your children to the park and play with them. Don't worry about taking pictures. Observe the moment through your own lens and remember the memory. Write someone a letter...a note. Test your creativity and observation without the help of technology. 

There's a world out there that's much more beautiful when its not viewed through a screen.