I too love reading the letters of writers,artists, and other creative people to their friends and those they love. It seems that in their letters they write with less self-censoring, knowing the person reading the letter is “on their side”. I agree with you completely that we have lost some vital connection with each other when we moved from handwritten letters to online communication. You make good points about it the differences between the two. Wishing you a rewarding new year, and may it include at least a few handwritten letters, from you or to you!