Letter writing

For Letters I am doing some research on how letters were written throughout history. I’ve found that there are many examples throughout various times that include greeting paragraphs. It seems a lengthy greeting was used to clearly state who the author and audience were and establish the relationship between the two.

“A letter between the John Smith, servant of Duke Edwards, and Emily Smith of Touring. Greetings and well wishes from your son John in Thomasville.”

They often end with requests, commands or blessings.

“Though there are many other events of which I could write to you, I will end here and implore you to faithfully remember me in your prayers. Give my regards to father and Shelly my beloved sister. If you see Jane Whitting please tell her I remember he fondly. I will write again soon. Your most gracious son, John.”

Irv the ’stroyah

“You have fallen from the doors!” Irving shouted as he sat upright excitedly in his chair.

My shock at having been awoken so suddenly had me flying sideways off the couch in terror. When my heart stopped doing triplets I spun around ready to find the apartment on fire, or some other disaster.

“What are you yelling about?” I glanced quizzically at my small friend’s silhouette hunched over his desk like a kitten ready to pounce.

Irv was ignoring me. He tapped furiously on the keyboard. “He come twee!” he blurted and then settled back into his comfy black desk chair content with whatever task he had accomplished.

“Don’t you think you should call it a night bro,” I asked more concerned for my lack of sleep than his.

He dismissed me by informing me that it was nearly morning. What he meant, as we both knew, was that any sleep at this point would likely do more harm than good for the coming day.

I clambered back up on to the couch and drug my blanket over my head. “What could he have meant by ‘You have fallen from the doors’,” I thought as I slipped back to sleep.