A letter to you
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Today, as I plucked our mail out of the mailbox, I began thinking of how rapidly life has changed. Most days I walk inside with a collection of catalogs and junk mail. I walk straight to the trash and stand over it as I go through them one by one. It is seldom that there is anything left in my hands when I turn around.
From time to time, Mama will send me a letter. Every now and then I get a card from my mother in law. Those are rare occurrences but a special joy when they happen. Then, I got to thinking about you and how it would be neat if I could send my readers actual letters from time to time. I quickly went over the math and cost of stamps and felt a little bit defeated when I saw the impossibility of it all.
But, I had an idea. I could write a letter and post it here, for you to download and print if you want. I sat down to my computer and a few minutes later, I had written a letter to you, a friend.
The letter is below. It’s just a pdf. My hope is that you’ll print it off to read, making it come to life as a real paper letter like we had back in the old days. It was just a silly, heartfelt notion of me reaching out to you and sharing my heart and life as a friend would. So if you decide to complete that connection by reading it, thank you.
Click here to open the pdf of my letter
You can scroll down and leave a comment at the bottom of this post if you like.
Thank you for the letter today. It was such a nice surprise.
You’re so welcome, Trudy! thank you for receiving it!
What a wonderful letter. I try and send an original homemade card with a personalized note to the recipient. I may get a phone call after the recipient receives it or I may never hear a thing. This is how I keep in touch with my best gal pal. It works for me. Hoping you and Ricky have a good Bible study this week and enjoy your camping trips. Hugs and love. Kim
Thank you, Kim! I used to send cards each week back in my younger days. I thought of it as my ministry. I had a list and I’d pick random people and write little notes. It may seem like a small thing but know that your kindness is having a far greater impact than you could ever know! Hugs and love to you, sweet friend!
Thank you so much Christy. That was a fun letter to read.
Thank YOU Joan, always a joy to see you!
Loved the letter!
Thank you so much, Tina! I appreciate you giving me the opportunity to share it.
Oh Christy, I hope you understand how much your letter is appreciated. My husband and I just lost two very good friends within one week. One of the friends lived out of state so he and I had written to each other if not daily, every other day. Neither of us were into Facebook, we only wanted to share our days with each other. Nothing intimate only good friends who loved each other.
My husband and I have been married for over 40 years, we never had children and have few relatives left. I can’t tell you how much enjoyment you give to me hearing how close you are especially, with your mom as I miss mine everyday as I do my dad too.
Your loving personality means a lot to us even if we never meet in person. Thanks for all you do for so many people.
I’ve tried so many of your recipes but the Chicken Patties are ONE of our favorites. We wish there were more people like you and your family in the world. Thank-YOU!!
Dear Cindy,
I’m so glad to hear from you! I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this but for some reason, I must look like a Cindy because I can’t tell you how many times people have called me that in my life. Random people, too, just tend to call me Cindy. So much so that I turn and answer to it! I appreciate you receiving my letter today and completing the connection. I love those chicken patties, too, I need to make some soon! I’m just glad there are people like you in this world. You encourage and inspire me and I surely do thank you for it!
What a sweet letter. Us kids used to love going to the mailbox to get letters from family. Now, I’m like you, throwing most of the junk mail in the trash.
I’m thankful my kids have memories of real mail, too. The world sure is a changing fast though! Love, sincerity, and family still hold true if we hold tightly to them.
T’was good to hear from you. For the past few days I’ve been going through old letters written by my great-uncles in the midst of war and sent to their sister and parents (my grand mother and great grand-parents.) It saddens me that future generations will not have a tactile record of our communication. I saw we lead the charge in resurrecting the lost art of letter writing!
Enjoy the RV life, it can be nice to get away from home yet take home with you!
Hi to Ricky, K-Ro, Brady and the assorted Fur-kids!
You have always been a leader so I will fall in behind you and support this charge! It’s good to hear from you. We should get coffee soon. Kids all send their best, except for the honors college student. He would send his best if I could get him to light somewhere for more than thirty seconds 🙂
Thank you for the precious letter. Great to hear from you! Love you!
Miss you and love you, too Shannon!
That was sweet of you, we never receive letters like we did years ago…so it means a lot to get something meaningful in the mail!
Thanks for the letter today! It made me smile! I am not as social as my husband either . I retired in June last and had thoughts of doing many things but I truly enjoy being alone at my home doing whatever moves me. You are always so sweet and remind me of my time living in the south. I truly miss the connection with people there. I’m from New York and even though it wasn’t the city, we were always so busy on the farm that I only visited in school. I enjoy all that is around me and thank God that I live in such a beautiful place!
Thank you for taking time to visit with me today, Jannette! I completely understand. I got a new car over two years ago and haven’t even put half a year’s worth of miles on it, even with taking trips every now and then! I may drive ten to fifteen miles a week, tops. I just really love being home. I am so content here. Camping with Ricky is just moving the home a bit 🙂 The Father is so good to us – and one of those blessings is you!
Incredibly nice gesture. Wishing you and yours all the best!!
you as well, Kym! thank you!
Perfect timing for your letter. A much needed surgery was cancelled again. I was so angry and unhappy. It is refreshing to read about personal things of others. In your letter you overcome and made the best of your situation. In the end, faith, peace abound. Thank you. I look forward to your next letter.
Your Sister in Christ.
Dianne
Dianne, I’m so sorry. I hope you get to have your surgery soon and please know that I’ll be praying for you. Keep us posted. Life and this world hold a great deal of frustration for us, but the Father warned us of that. You’re so right, faith and peace still abound for all those in Him!
Love,
C J
Thank you, for your letter Christy. I too always loved to get snail mail letters, which have fallen by the wayside along with cursive writing, penmanship & Home Economics in school. Love your recipes, they remind me of some of my family reunions as a kid. Good thing they lasted all day, I don’t think we ever ran out of food!
Have a Blessed Day!
Mary
What a sweet idea! Love my letter. Thank you
Thank you, Alana! You always bring joy whenever I see your name. 🙂
Oh how kind of you, letters are the best way for sharing, but seldom seen now.Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us.
Loved reading your letter and hearing all about your FB fellowship group and your camping trip. It was not a crazy idea – I think it was a great idea!
Thank you, UmMa! I love how our hearts share so much when it comes to what we value and find joy in. I appreciate you being here!
What a perk to my day! Thank you for your letter. I too enjoy receiving snail mail., Something other than bills and more grown up responsibilities….. We are at the end of the school year which means pure craziness. Prom, FFA contests all week, baseball, parents night, and field trips. I love it all and want to nap in the sun. Thanks for creating the Bible study group! I love it and have learned so much…. Yeah team… Have a lovely evening!
Thank you so much for being here, Cathy! End of the school year is always so frantic, but maybe that is why we appreciate the summer so much 🙂 We are finishing up eighth grade. Hard to believe high school is next for my baby! I hope you have a wonderful evening.
I loved your sweet letter, Christy. I could almost feel the sun warming my back as I read it. You truly have a talent for words, as well as a gift for sharing your faith. I became a fan from the first time I saw you on QVC (maybe around 2011?). When the host, probably David V., mentioned your blog and how popular it was, I had to check it out. 3 cookbooks and many blog recipes later, I consider myself one of your most faithful fans. It’s been a joy watching your kids grow up, too. Thank you for the blessing of having you in my (cyber) life! Sincerely, Fran in Delaware =^..^=
Fran, I am so grateful for you and thrilled you tuned into QVC that day! Pardon my typing errors, I’m trying to catch them but our little pup Bella has decided to sit on top of my chest as I type so I’m straining to see the screen around her. I appreciate your encouragement, support, sticking with me, and being a special part of our lives all these years!
What a delightful thing I found in my emails today. My friend, Christy Jordan, sent me a letter. It was so refreshing reading the updates on the Facebook group and the camping stories. Truly made me happy hearing from a friend!
Hi, I enjoyed the letter very much. I have followed you forever even before your first cookbook. I love your daily how to make. I cannot believe your baby boy is now in college. I am more of a lurker, lol, than a participating reader. Just wanted you to know how much I have always loved your site.
Thank you, Gaylia! I completely understand. I tend to be very much a lurker on most sites, especially facebook, where one well intentioned comment could get half the world angry at you, lol. It is crazy but Brady will be twenty this summer! I don’t know where the years have gone but they sure have been blessed and Ricky and I are thoroughly enjoying this season in our lives, looking forward to the next. I appreciate your kindness, and I’m so glad you took the time to comment today. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I am always inspired by you and your site. As far as recipes go, my.favs are Greek chicken and pineapple cobbler, but I will make the pineapple poke cake soon! You rock, thanks so much…you are an inspiration!
Hi Christy! Thank you for your letter. I really appreciate your southern style recipes, these are the foods I grew up eating and you make them simple and delicious. It’s so nice to share this with another believer.
The letter was lovely….felt like “family” catching up! Thank you for the effort.
Thank you, Jan! I feel like we are family 🙂
Loved your letter! What a wonderful idea and loved hearing about your camping adventure! I also was impressed with your scripture study group.
I love all of your recipes. Keep up the good work.
Joy
I miss letters, too! It’s definitely a lost art! I’m glad we’re friends-I make your recipes often, and think of you when I do!
Oh Christy! You’re a truly special lady! I too love the written word! Whether it’s writing someone a paper card or letter or holding the Holy Bible in my hands! The connection that my heart and soul feels is so nurturing. Thank you for thinking of us all out here. I love you, Southerplate, and our Lord God!
Blessings and prayers dear one,
Susie
Thank you such a sweet letter, enjoyed hearing what been going on. My daughter & son-in-law bought a camper about 6 months ago, they love that life. Going to take a 3 week trip this summer. I have to stay home & house & baby sit 4 animals.
Love your site & recipes.
I loved your letter! What a wonderful thing to do! It also brings me back to my youth when I use to have penpals and write a lot of letters. Thank you so very much!
Thank you so much, Freda! I really enjoyed it. I’ve missed that kind of writing myself and truly, I started SouthernPlate for the community around it so that is what I enjoy the most. I feel like we’ve kinda reconnected a bit now!
Getting a real letter reminds me of my mom who has been gone now for 5 yrs. I wrote her almost every week and eagerly waited for the mailman when I was expecting her letter…
Now my husband and I are retired and use our RV six mo. of the yr. ( We live farther north than you.) We go out with family and friends and sometimes just the two of us. It’s something we both enjoy and thank the Lord for giving us the opportunity to enjoy it.
Oh Lucy, it sounds like you had a wonderful mom and the Father has blessed you with a great husband and full life. He is so good to us. I’m glad you stopped by today, thank you so much for receiving my letter and sharing your heart!
I have walked out on my back porch and done the samething got BA k inside before the sliding door closed good. Rain in forecast for my weekend.
Love to camp, just can’t afford a RV or pull behind yet so I do tent. Coffee tastes better camping so does breakfast food lol
Enjoy your weekend
Blessings
Hey Gerri! We have rain Friday morning but I’m hoping that is enough to wash the pollen out of the air. Looks like it will warm up this weekend to the high seventies so we may have some driveway camping in our future! Coffee does taste best outdoors! Thank you for being here!
I wish I could post a pic here for you!! My family’s favorite cake since I was little and way before was and is Mandarin orange cake!
It just surprised me when I read that! I’ve always made it for dinners, church pot lucks and any other occasion you can think of!
My son, they are in their 20s, will ask for it as their bday cake!
Thank you for writing and it was such a pleasure to read.
Loved the letter!! I miss receiving letters and note from the mail box!! Getting an honest to goodness letter in my email is very special!!
I love your blog and email page!! I look forward to daily recipes and the quotes!!❤
Thank you! Your letter made my day. When I used to write letters, back in the day, I always had a bit of trouble getting started but once I got going I’d write pages and pages.
Love reading this letter! Thank you so much for it! And, this RV’ing thing…I practiced camping in an RV that was parked in my Aunts driveway… I came away from it feeling accomplished (because I didn’t scream ‘Bear/ Wolf/ Maniac Stranger!’ every time the wind blew) but knowing I was going to need a bit more practice .
Anywho… Hope your weather warms up… We’re up here in Wisconsin praying for no more snow!
Blessings to you, Christy!
Thank you for the letter. It did feel as if it came from a friend, helping me get “caught up” on their life. I appreciate all you do to provide helpful food insights…natural and spiritual.
God bless