In our current tech-savvy world where communication is sometimes too easy, there's something special about the rare occasions when people take the time, effort and care to write a letter to someone. The gesture speaks volumes, beyond even the original intent of the letter, and whether handwritten or typed, it carries a certain emotional impact. The following letters exhibit just how incredible and inspiring the written word can be.
1. When her son came out on Facebook, this mom made sure that he knew she loved and supported him ... in the most "mom" way possible.
Zach,
I was surprised by your Facebook post where you came out. I want you to know that I love you unconditionally. I love you with my actions, not just my words. I'm so proud of you. You are the bravest person I know. I'll fight for you always. Your sexual orientation does not define you. You are still the boy who forever won my heart. The only thing that concerns me is the number of empty soda cups and tea bottles in your room. Throw them away before ants come inside.
I love you always,
Mom
2. These thieves didn't know the computers they'd stolen were from a non-profit group that helps victims of sexual assault. When they realized, they had a change of heart.
(The following note was found within one of the laptops.)
We had no idea what we were takeing [sic]. Here your stuff back. We hope that you guys can continue to make a difference in peoples [sic] live. God bless.
3. Seattle Seahawks fullback Derrick Coleman is the NFL's only legally hearing-impaired player, but he heard this little girl's amazing message to him loud and clear.
(See the text below in all adorable unedited glory.)
Dear my insperation Derrick Coleman,
I know how you feel. I also have two hearing aids. Just try your best. I have faif in you Derrick good Job on January 20th game. GO Seattle Seahawks! Here are things we have in comen. I where two hearing aids. I love sports. Other things are I'm a indentcal twin and my twin where's one hearing aid too!
Coleman's response is equally great.
4. Every year on the anniversary of his father's death, this man reads one very special letter that reminds him of the lives his father changed forever.
5. This father has some advice for his daughter on finding Mr. Right --- she could do a lot worse than someone like her father.
(The highlighted excerpt below will show you what we mean. Read the complete letter here.)
Little One, it is not, has never been, and never will be your job to “keep him interested.” Little One, your only task is to know deeply in your soul--in that unshakeable place that isn’t rattled by rejection and loss and ego--that you are worthy of interest.
If you can trust your worth in this way, you will be attractive in the most important sense of the word: you will attract a boy who is both capable of interest and who wants to spend his one life investing all of his interest in you.
[...]
Because in the end, Little One, the only thing you should have to do to “keep him interested” is to be you.
Your eternally interested guy,
Daddy
6. After spending eight years earning the Boy Scouts' highest rank, this Eagle Scout just couldn't in good conscience keep the award, knowing that the organization was openly denying similar opportunities to gays.
Mr. Brock,
It is with a heavy heart that I return the Eagle Scout pin and badge I was awarded in August of 1980 while I was a member of Holy Cross Troop 31, Bay Lakes Council. I do this in protest of the Boy Scouts of America’s policy to deny leadership positions to gay and lesbian adults and membership to young adults who identify as gay.
[...]
How sad that an organization that teaches leadership has chosen to relinquish the lead in one of the most important civil rights issues of our time.
I pray that one day you will see the error of your ways and realize that the principles and ideals of scouting can be taught by men or women, gay or straight. And the knowledge, wisdom and benefits of Scouting should be available to all young men regardless of their sexual identity.
With regret -
Jonathan Johns
7. This bone marrow donor saved the life of a total stranger, but his stem cells weren't even his "best gift" to her.
Dear Donor,
Thank you! Thank you!
These words are completely inadequate for what you have done. Your selfless act humbles me. I can't believe that a complete stranger would take the time and go through the discomfort of donating their stem cells to me. You have made a huge difference in my life. My transplant went well. Your strong cells have done their job. You have given my body a chance to start working correctly again. So far, so good!All of my family and friends would like to thank you as well. You have given me more time to be with all of them. That is the best gift you have given me. Thank you so much again.
Sincerely,
Your Stem Cell Recipient
8. Jim Henson became a part of the lives of millions of children with his creation of "Sesame Street" and "The Muppets." After his untimely death, he tried to leave his own children with something special.
(While we were unable to track down a physical copy of Henson's letter, his words have been immortalized in the book, "Letters of Note," as well as on their blog. The text is below.)
First of all, don't feel bad that I'm gone. While I will miss spending time with each of you, I'm sure it will be an interesting time for me and I look forward to seeing all of you when you come over. To each of you I send my love. If on this side of life I'm able to watch over and help you out, know that I will. If I can't, I'm sure I can at least be waiting for you when you come over. This all may sound silly to you guys, but what the hell, I'm gone—and who can argue with me?
Life is meant to be fun, and joyous, and fulfilling. May each of yours be that—having each of you as a child of mine has certainly been one of the good things in my life. Know that I've always loved each of you with an eternal, bottomless love. A love that has nothing to do with each other, for I feel my love for each of you is total and all-encompassing. Please watch out for each other and love and forgive everybody. It's a good life, enjoy it.
9. This man lost his father to cancer, and when he later uncovered a letter his father had written to him decades before, he remembered just how much his dad loved him.
Dear Erich,
Well you started school and you're no longer a little boy, but a young man. Daddy loves you and wants nothing but the best from you. These first six (almost) years went so fast because I love you and you've been nothing but joy and happiness for me. Remember always to be good to people and be good to yourself. Remember, daddy loves you, he really does. I'll always be your friend.
Love,
Dad
10. Unable to have children, this single man adopted a 12-year-old boy. The letter he received from the child proved just what a lucky new dad he was.
(Here is the transcript, unedited, and unbelievably touching.)
Thank you Dad for being whene I need you the most. I am so happy that you were the one that was chosen out of all the people how wanted to adopt me. Your the best day in the world. Love Josiah.
11. When a KKK leader asked Alabama not to reopen an investigation into the 1963 bombing of an African-American church, the state's attorney general Bill Baxley had this amazing response.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
STATE OF ALABAMAFebruary 28, 1976
"Dr." Edward R. Fields
National States Rights Party
P. O. Box 1211
Marietta, Georgia 30061Dear "Dr." Fields:
My response to your letter of February 19, 1976, is – kiss my ass.
Sincerely,BILL BAXLEY
Attorney General
12. This awesome grandfather stood up for his gay grandson when even his own mother wouldn't.
Dear Christine,
I'm disappointed in you as a daughter. You're correct that we have a "shame in the family," but mistaken about what it is.
Kicking Chad out of your home simply because he told you he was gay is the real "abomination" here. A parent disowning her child is what goes "against nature."
The only intelligent thing I heard you saying in all this was that "you didn't raise your son to be gay." Of course you didn't. He was born this way and didn't choose it any more than he being left-handed. You however, have made a choice of being hurtful, narrow-minded and backward. So, while we are in the business of [disowning] our children, I think I'll take this moment to say goodbye to you. I now have a fabulous (as the gay put it) grandson to raise, and I don't have time for heartless B-word of a daughter.
[If] you find your heart, give us a call.
-Dad
13. Acclaimed physicist Richard Feynman wrote this love letter to his wife ... two years after she'd died of tuberculosis.
(Feynman's touching letter can be found in the book, "Letters of Note," as well as on their blog. Find the text below. Don't be ashamed to set your cry levels to maximum.)
D’Arline,
I adore you, sweetheart.
I know how much you like to hear that — but I don’t only write it because you like it — I write it because it makes me warm all over inside to write it to you.
It is such a terribly long time since I last wrote to you — almost two years but I know you’ll excuse me because you understand how I am, stubborn and realistic; and I thought there was no sense to writing.
But now I know my darling wife that it is right to do what I have delayed in doing, and that I have done so much in the past. I want to tell you I love you. I want to love you. I always will love you.
I find it hard to understand in my mind what it means to love you after you are dead — but I still want to comfort and take care of you — and I want you to love me and care for me. I want to have problems to discuss with you — I want to do little projects with you. I never thought until just now that we can do that. What should we do. We started to learn to make clothes together — or learn Chinese — or getting a movie projector. Can’t I do something now? No. I am alone without you and you were the “idea-woman” and general instigator of all our wild adventures.
When you were sick you worried because you could not give me something that you wanted to and thought I needed. You needn’t have worried. Just as I told you then there was no real need because I loved you in so many ways so much. And now it is clearly even more true — you can give me nothing now yet I love you so that you stand in my way of loving anyone else — but I want you to stand there. You, dead, are so much better than anyone else alive.
I know you will assure me that I am foolish and that you want me to have full happiness and don’t want to be in my way. I’ll bet you are surprised that I don’t even have a girlfriend (except you, sweetheart) after two years. But you can’t help it, darling, nor can I — I don’t understand it, for I have met many girls and very nice ones and I don’t want to remain alone — but in two or three meetings they all seem ashes. You only are left to me. You are real.
My darling wife, I do adore you.
I love my wife. My wife is dead.
Rich.
PS Please excuse my not mailing this — but I don’t know your new address.
Related
Before You Go
