What I have Learned About Letter Writing

Sailorette called Things are going well. The service isnt what she expected and she maintains a couple weeks could be shaved off of boot camp. She says there is ample "study time" I think that means time with nothing to do. 

She said getting lots of letters is awesome. Some people get a fistful every day. Some get little to none. One girl has gotten 1 letter from her boyfriend in 5 weeks (I think we know where this is going). Sailorettes grandmother and myself are the only two writing her regularly. I am writing every day. A division member said she was going to start writing to Sailoretes boyfriend (me) so she can start getting letters too. I thought it was funny so I am including a letter for her in the next letter to Sailorette. 

What to send? I send pics. Im not much of a picture guy but have discovered Walgreens lets you upload pics from your digital camera or phone, and develop them for 20 cents each. Another thing dont send all your pics at once. Spread em out over the weeks. I mail her all kinds of things poems, folded paper objects, random small items. and smells that remind her of home. You dont want the envelope to catch the attention of the base, so dont douse it. But remember, smell has different connection to the brain and memories than any of our other senses (FACT). I clipped one letter above the BBQ so she could smell grilled chicken. She has been asking for a back rub so the last letter has Icey Hot on it.

I send her occasional news articles. She is also a hockey fan. Every Friday I send her the standings. I will talk up all the big games coming up that weekend but wont tell her the scores till the following Friday. That  has got to drive her nuts. 

Sailorette is not different than any of the other boys and girls in boot camp. Every one of em Likes getting letters. I sent a big envelope full of paper, envelopes, and stamps. It is so weird to get her writing back on paper that was in the bottom draw of my desk a few weeks ago.

It is discouraging to write every day and get sporadic responses. It feels like you are writing to your self. This feels even more like you are writing to your self when some of your letters get returned (they are sticklers for correct postage). A few times I got very close to going on letter writing strike. I am glad I didnt when I hear about the reactions of people not getting letters

So if you go see a movie this weekend, pick up a pen and write about it. If their favorite team makes the play offs, send them updates from the paper. If their brother has a birthday that week get a picture on your phone and get it printed at the local pharmacy. These are simple things to do and if your recruit is special to you all those little 3X6 care packages will tell them so in a big way.