How to Write Heartfelt Letters to Treasure by Lynette M. Smith

How to Write Heartfelt Letters to Treasure: For Special Occasions and Occasions Made Special by Lynette M. Smith, $19.99 list price, paperback.

From the publisher:
Imagine a world of people focused on gratitude for one another. Make it so! Start by writing letters of appreciation that will be treasured forever. How to Write Heartfelt Letters to Treasure helps you touch others with your genuine, original letters to express your feelings of appreciation. 

You will discover these valuable tools and tips:

• The essentials of planning, writing, packaging, and presenting your letters to convey your messages effectively.
• How to touch someone on a milestone birthday or special occasion related to school, military, romance, family, cultural and religious rites of passage, and career.
• How to commemorate a professional or personal relationship—to honor teachers, coaches, mentors, students, service providers, product suppliers, and good friends; to bring meaning to a life well lived (including eulogies); and to mend torn relationships.
• Over 1,000 powerful words to help you describe someone special, organized into these 15 demographic lists: a smaller child, a pre-teen child, a teen boy, a teen girl, a younger man, a younger woman, a middle-aged man, a middle-aged woman, an older man, an older woman, someone religious or spiritual, a military service member, a supervisor or employee, a product creator or stellar service provider, and a teacher, coach, mentor, or student.
• Choices of the best inspirational quotations to enhance your letters, for 10 themes—age; appreciation; childhood, parenting, and grandparenting; forgiveness; legacy; love; spiritual faith and devotion; patriotism; leadership and teamwork; and teaching, learning, and striving.

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As a fan of real pen and paper letter writing, I found this book to be a great resource for writing memorable letters to anyone, for any occasion.  It takes letter writing beyond pen pal status to writing letters to express gratitude to those who have impacted our lives, commemorating special occasions for children such as the first day of school, and letting loved ones know just how much they mean to us, to name a few suggestions. 

The book is divided into three sections: The Basics of Writing a Treasured Letter, Writing for Special Occasions, and Writing for Occasions Made Special.  There are also helpful sections that include age-appropriate word lists to use in letters, inspirational quotes, and suggested sentence "jump starts" to help one get started.

This book inspired me to think beyond writing thank you notes or letters about daily life to pen friends (and those are good things to continue) to sending more personal, thoughtful letters to my kids, husband, and friends that they will want to keep. 

Something has been lost with email, texting, and tweeting.  Real, meaningful letter writing will reconnect us and keep us connected when we take the time and effort to express heartfelt thoughts in this way.