Writing from the heart

The News Letter Journal has been a flurry of activity over the last six weeks, mainly due to our Countdown to Christmas discounted advertising rates. 
(When advertising goes from $10.80 per column inch down to $7.00 per column inch, everyone wants to take advantage of these once-a-year deals.) 
What surprised me the most this year, however, was the number of people who asked for our assistance with their annual holiday letters — something I thought no one bothered with anymore. 
This community wiped us out of our holiday stationery - twice! 
Although there were many who just purchased stationery and printed their letters at home, there were countless individuals who brought in their hand-written cursive letters and had us copy them onto holiday stationery, or asked us to type them up and print them.  
What a window into the soul of the wonderful people who live here! You shared the good news of your travels, births, and successful crops. You shared your sad news also. The passing of loved ones, and the inevitable decline of good health as we age, and the many trips to the doctor’s office. 
You wished your letter recipients a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year, but most importantly you told folks that you loved them and hoped to see them soon. 
One couple told us they send 190 letters every year. That’s $95 just in postage! When we asked them if they received 190 back, they replied that they didn’t get that many, but they got a lot! 
I lost track of how many customers brought in their letters, but it sure was nice to hear how thankful they were for our help, and many even gave us a copy to pass around the office! 
I want to thank all of you for allowing us to be a part of your holiday this year by helping with these holiday correspondence. 
We felt like a member of your family, and we appreciate that — because as your hometown newspaper stafff, we like to think that we already are! 
Merry Christmas!