Wonderful letters of healing

Sir — Over the past several months our Sundays have been brightened by reading the emotive and well-written letters that the people of Ireland wish they had sent.

My mam brings the Sunday papers home after work at lunchtime, to be greeted with ‘Did you get the letters?’.

Sometimes I read them first, sometimes I arrive home to the page open on the table for me.

My dad and I seem to be drawn to the same letters, likeminded as we are. It makes my mam laugh when we discuss certain letters with such involvement and gusto. I have enjoyed reflecting on certain letters, which struck a chord with me or made me think.

Even my sister, who lives out of home, was endeared by our new favourite hobby. We have kept track of our favourites, the true deservers of the Dunnes vouchers in our eyes. ‘The Bag Snatcher’ was our clear winner, and the lady who wrote to the comedian who kept her company on TV while she was entering labour. My dad loved the letter to the schoolmaster who was told by his former pupil ‘and I still hate you’.

So many letters, so many stories, wonderfully articulated by people who all truly deserve a voucher — or even just to be commended for sharing their deepest feelings through letter writing, hopefully experiencing healing in the process.

Thank you all so much for bringing our family such bonding and enjoyment. It’s what Sundays are made for. The Fitzpatricks, Lucan