Pony Express to Face Book

The Pony Express was established 150 years ago. Its short life is still recognized as changing the way our country communicates. We have come a long way from those days when letters got to their destination on horseback. The letters carried cross country over a century ago made a connection between people that could be made no other way in that time. They were a lifeline for families and friends during the westward expansion.

Today our mail is handled and travels by all manner of motorized vehicles and mechanisms. It is nearly always delivered rapidly and safely. And yet even with all the modern technology, sometimes the mail arrives mangled and slower than those ponies of old.

We continue to hear how the Postal Service is strapped for cash. Some say that the personal letter is becoming extinct. But I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to get a card or letter in their mailbox. There is no substitute for the personal effort of sending something to someone else. Gathering the writing material, using your hands to write and prepare the envelope for mailing, purchasing a stamp and getting it in the mail all takes time. When the recipient takes that card or letter from their mailbox, they know it was prepared just for them. It is like a gift no matter how great or small.

I just love to hear stories of pen pal relationships that have lasted for decades. Those letters between little girls who grew into teens and then to adulthood together are an amazing testament to the importance of personal communication. It is even more amazing when those women travel miles and miles, sometimes to different countries, to finally meet in person. Unfortunately my pen pal efforts never lasted, though not for lack of trying on my part.

The Family Letter kept families in touch before telephones and the electronics age. The letter began and traveled from family to family with each one adding their own update until it had made the rounds and get back to the person who started it. They then began another letter and sent it on its way with the previous letter enclosed as well so that everyone could read what was added after they had it. A certain amount of dedication was required from everyone along the letter’s path. By the time that first letter completed it’s second path every family knew the ups and downs and milestones in their extended family.

Email is one of my favorite technological inventions. Because of email I have friends all over the world that I would not have met any other way. Pen pals are e-pals now. The family letter gets forwarded from home to home and makes the rounds much quicker. Quick notes, lengthy letters, pictures, and information can all be sent and received with ease. I would miss my email if it was gone. But with all that, I still send personal, hand written cards and notes to all my friends, because words on a cold screen will never replace the warmth of holding something in your hands that someone took the time to send.

And now, there is Facebook. Don’t even get me started!