In a letter about handwriting personal notes in the Kansas City Star, Jeanne Phillips of Dear Abby fame hits on the key emotional aspects of handwritten mail.

Although e-mail is here to stay, handwritten correspondence still has an important place in people’s lives.

Each method of communication fills a need. E-mail is fast, cheap and easy. However, it can often also be terse and impersonal. Handwritten messages can be an art form, an elegant skill that expresses emotions.