love letters revisited

I know I've already posted once about how much I like writing letters, but a few conversations lately have reminded me how important they are...

As I've said before, I believe all letters are love letters-- because if someone takes the time to write you a real letter, it's gotta be out of love, right? So here is what I think; a letter finds its purpose in the world when it is part of a conversation, part of a relationship. Relationships are give and take, missing pieces put back together, synergy... when two people-- and this goes for anyones-- create something between them that is bigger than two people, and still just a One. It's this crazy not-math where 1+1=1!!!!! But if letters go out into the world, and are lost to indifference or selfishness, incapability or self-absorbtion, then they are only words. I've found this to be particularly true of love letters, but I think it holds for the rest too.

I think love letters are written to capture nothing more than a moment so powerful you can't imagine letting it slip away. In my experience, it's been more like the letters are writing me... like there is all this emotion and purpose and clarity that has to get itself down on paper; like the letter has a life of its own. It has to become a tangible thing, an object of memory; it wants to be written, and read over and over, and stored somewhere secret and special and slightly scented... People hold on to love letters to remind themselves of themselves, of that moment of clarity, of yesness, of passion, and of the energy they once created, or wanted to create, with someone. I'll admit I've got my secret place all sorted out, it just needs a letter or two.

Anyway. Here I am, about to embark on yet another solo journey far away from home. I think it's the last one I have in me for awhile. My proirities are shifting, and as much as I love the synergy of letters, the way of absence making the heart grow fonder, I love hugs more. And I need to remind myself that I can be peaceful, and purposeful, and have pride in my work and my self wherever and however I choose to be.

But while I'm away, please write me letters. Put a little of your heart and soul down on paper, see how it feels, smells, lives and breathes... and send it to me. I promise to write back.