7 Quirky ways to stay in touch with the people we love
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Table of Contents
How People Stay in Touch
Here are a few ways people are using to stay in touch with each other these days…
- homing pigeons
social media - message in a bottle
- Good
ol letters - Funky postcards
ESP
Okay, so obviously not all of these are real or feasible in this day and age. I included them in the list because
- a) they're fun
- b) made you think (!) about it for a second
- c) sometimes we need to push the envelope
Getting Serious
Now, let's get serious. There are numerous ways we can stay in touch and yet somehow people are still lonely, aren't sure how to talk to each other, and wind up accidentally ghosting people they actually care about. We can totally do something about this.
One of my favorite ways to stay in touch with people is by writing letters. There is nothing cooler than getting a handwritten letter in the mail. I still get excited when I see a handwritten address on an envelope from a friend (new and old)
Questions to Ask Yourself About How You Can Stay in Touch
The following questions can help you figure out what works best for you to stay in touch. I've found that is something is easy for me to do and feels like a good emotional lift I am far more likely to complete the action. This includes texting, writing, or other ways of connecting with the people I love.
- What is your favorite way to stay in touch with those you love? Why do you love it?
- What feels easy to do? (write, audio, video)
- Which platform do you use the most – is the most fun for you to use
- Which platform does the person you want to connect with, usually connect with you on? I ask if I don't know the answer 🙌
- Is there a day of the week that feels like it has the most space to do the work to stay in touch?
FAQ: Preserving Handwritten Letters
Why should I bother keeping old handwritten letters?
Handwritten letters are tangible pieces of your family's history. Unlike digital messages that can be lost in crashed hard drives or forgotten email accounts, physical letters preserve not just words but personality—the loops of your grandmother's handwriting, the coffee stain from a late-night confession, the return address from a home that no longer exists. For families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia, these letters can become powerful memory triggers, offering comfort and connection to the past.
Where do I start if I have a box of old letters I've been meaning to organize?
Begin by sorting letters chronologically or by sender—whichever makes more sense for your collection. Handle them gently, and create a comfortable workspace where you can spread things out. Set aside time for this project; going through old correspondence often brings up emotions and memories worth savoring. Don't rush it.
What's the best way to physically preserve letters so they don't deteriorate?
Store letters in acid-free folders or archival-quality boxes, away from direct sunlight, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Keep them flat rather than folded when possible to prevent creasing damage. If letters are already fragile, consider placing them in individual acid-free sleeves. Never use tape or regular glue on old paper—these materials cause long-term damage.
Should I digitize my letters, and if so, how?
Yes, creating digital backups protects against loss from fire, flood, or simply the passage of time. Use a scanner rather than a phone camera for better quality, and save files in multiple formats (PDF for readability, TIFF for archival quality). Store copies in at least two places—an external hard drive and a cloud service. As you scan, create a simple spreadsheet noting the date, sender, recipient, and a brief description of each letter's contents.
What if the handwriting is hard to read or the paper is very old?
For difficult handwriting, take your time and read aloud—sometimes hearing the words helps. Recruit family members who might recognize the writer's style. For fragile documents, wear clean cotton gloves when handling them, or wash and dry your hands thoroughly. If letters are extremely delicate or valuable, consult a professional archivist or conservator.
How can I use these preserved letters to connect with family or care for someone with memory loss?
Share scans or carefully supervised originals during family gatherings. For those with Alzheimer's or dementia, reading familiar handwriting can spark recognition and conversation. Create a simple photo album with letter excerpts alongside old photographs. Record yourself or family members reading letters aloud—the combination of familiar voices and cherished words can be deeply comforting.
Don't Wait to Stay In Touch
The most important thing in all of this is to actually start the conversations. No matter how or where you get them started, the when is the thing that makes this important.
Waiting to tell someone you are thinking about them, sometimes until it's too late, doesn't have to be your reality or your regret. Figure out what works for you and stay in touch. The people you connect and reconnect with will feel the love and will most likely reflect it back to you.
In the end, we're all looking for a little more love and light in our lives. You don't have to wait for it to find you 🦄
Assembling Your Letter Collection Into a Lasting Legacy
Create a Physical Archive
Invest in a quality archival box or album system. Arrange letters thematically (wartime correspondence, love letters, letters from children) or chronologically. Include a table of contents and brief contextual notes—who these people were, what was happening in their lives. Future generations will thank you for this context.
Build a Digital Family Archive
Once scanned, organize digital files in clearly labeled folders: “Grandma Rose Letters 1940-1945” or “Dad's College Letters.” Consider creating a simple family website or shared cloud folder where relatives can access and contribute to the collection. Add transcriptions for letters with difficult handwriting, making them searchable and accessible.
Craft a Letter Legacy Book
Select the most meaningful letters and create a bound book (services like Shutterfly or Blurb make this easy). Include photographs of the original letters alongside typed transcriptions. Add family photos from the same era and brief historical notes. This makes a treasured gift for milestones like graduations, weddings, or significant birthdays.
Design a Memory Box for Caregiving
For families caring for someone with dementia, create a dedicated memory box containing photocopies of letters (preserve originals separately), along with photos and small mementos. This becomes a therapeutic tool—something your loved one can explore safely, triggering memories and providing comfort during difficult moments.
Share the Stories
Don't let preserved letters sit in storage. Read excerpts at family reunions. Post them (with permission) on family social media groups. Record video or audio of different family members reading meaningful passages. These letters are meant to connect people across time—let them do that work.
What now to Stay in Touch?
Check out the Legacy Recorder Community Guide in print, you can get your hands on a copy here. If you already have a copy, thank you! The 5 Minute Storytelling Scripts mentioned in the podcast episodes can be found here.
All journals can be purchased through Amazon. You can find the currently available ones here. Including a companion journal to the book linked above. The journals are a great way to create a keepsake. You can also order multiple copies to have as a workbook for groups that are looking to work together to tell their stories together.
If you find you need more one on one support, you can always book time on Gael's calendar here.
Happy Writing!
About the Author
Gael Gilliland is the founder of The Legacy Recorder, where she helps families and communities preserve meaningful stories across generations. She has personally trained over 80 students and staff in her Legacy storytelling method, then managed large-scale projects pairing these trained storytellers with over 100 residents in care facilities to capture and publish their life stories.
Through her innovative approach to intergenerational storytelling, Gael creates deeper connections between people of different life stages while restoring human dignity through the power of shared stories. Her methods are now used globally by countless families seeking to preserve their legacies. Learn more about Gael's work.
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