I adore the notion of writing. When I write someone, I put the sort of attention, effort, thoughtfulness and consideration one usually gives little or not at all in a text message or instant messaging conversation. 

Our generation, those born into the age of computers, fast pictures on TV, mobile phones - smart phones now! - we all have short attention spans. We are too obsessed with instant gratification. We are all conditioned to be impatient since young.

If it were up to me, I’d make letter-writing part of school syllables.
No, not just functional writing. Not with a topic,to warn an imaginary Jane of the dangers of smoking, or to discuss the problem of video gaming addiction with David.
No. I would make kids write to each other without having the teacher to grade them for it. It cultivates patience, and very importantly, it would develop them to be equipped with interpersonal skills, since a poorly written letter will likely result in a less than desirable reply or maybe none at all.
Kids will learn to be sensitive: to avoid certain topics with certain people;
sincerity: to find out the pen pal’s likes and dislikes - cats or dogs, comedy or action;
and empathy: to feel for a friend’s losses, to share his sorrows, to provide support when it is needed.
Patience, sensitivity, sincerity and empathy - qualities I find are lacking in today’s youth.

It will also let them know the joy of waiting for days and then finally receiving that reply in the mail.

You wouldn’t spend an hour sitting at the table with pen in hand for someone you don’t care about. And so it is a blessing to receive letters. And it is a blessing to write, to care. To write is to unknowingly commit to sustain a relationship, because of the effort and dedication it requires. Thus friendships are preserved much longer and are less transient with letters. In fact, through letters, friendship can not only be sustained, but can grow, blossom and bloom.

If instant messaging is like dusting the cover of a book and admiring the cover illustration, then written letters are reading the contents of the book. And we all know you never judge a book by its cover. You can only know one on the surface when you chat with them. Perhaps, scratching just a little deeper, reading the synopsis on the back cover of the book. Instant messaging’s quick, responses offer little depth, as manners of conversations are often conditioned to become reflex. “How are you?”, “Fine. You?”

Also, most people care for people more than they show. It is almost as if it’s shameful to express care or concern. And of course, we all have insecurities and troubles bottled up inside. We often appear carefree and self-assured on the surface, but beneath that veneer of confidence, there is often so much we’d like to share. Just not so readily in small talk. 
 
Letters are a window to a person’s mind, and are a good way to chronicle a person’s life, the struggles and triumphs in the various phases of one’s existence, as in the case of van Gogh. 

Sure there is always email, but the level of intimacy one can derive from neat, lifeless characters glaring from a cold screen pales in comparison to that from unique human scribblings (and perhaps a bit of doodling) on paper. Paper you can feel, smell, keep. Emails, ultimately, still lack that humanness.

Okay, I don’t know where I’m going with this… You get the point, ehs? Writing letters gooood… So… Since I am getting pretty idle these days, perhaps I shall start writing to all you losers hahaha. But first… ADDRESSES!