Thursday Thirteen Edition # - Heck if I know - 40??? Here are some great letter writing tips I've found when I get Matt's address. 1. Write every day if you can. 2. KEEP ALL COMMUNICATION POSITIVE AND UPBEAT. TELL HIM/HER HOW PROUD YOU ARE, EVERY SINGLE LETTER. (Save any bad news for after graduation.) 3. Pre-address a bunch of envelopes to your son/daughter. Put a stamp on them. Include one or two sheets of writing paper. Keep them in your glove box or purse. Hand them out to friends, relatives, teachers, anyone you run in to who you think might drop a quick line. You'll be amazed how many people you'll find that will be tickled to write, especially when you've done most of the work for them. 4. Stuck for stuff to write every day? If you have a digital camera, take pics of anything...kid's truck at home, his room waiting for his return, the floor of the laundry room you've seen for the first time in years now that kid's gone...haha, Dad getting his first cup of coffee in the morning (always good for another laugh), pets, friends, siblings, grandparents...whatever. Insert the pics in the letter with captions.Make a sign that says "HI ______" for people to hold while you take the pics. It generates some fun photos!!Take your camera everywhere, digital or not. You'll be amazed at how many people and things you'll find to shoot and take up space. Your son/daughter will love it. Picture's worth a thousand words... 5. Enclose articles from your local paper. If your newspaper is online, you can copy and paste the articles into your letter. Keep the news interesting or good...remember, no negatives now. 6. If your son/daughter is a sports fan, enclose sports news. 7. Don't put anything on the envelope other than recruit's address and your return address. No stickers, perfume, nothing to make the recruit stand out. 8. Early in the game, send your recruit the addresses of his/her buddies. Trust me, your recruit won't have them unless they are memorized. 9. Go online and run a search for a good, upbeat Joke Of The Day site and include a few in your letters. 10. Go online and get inspirational quotes. 11. Go card shopping. Write a little note, but do try to include a few photos or a newspaper clipping...anything to add to the brief respite mail call gives the kids. 12. Send a fill in the blank/multiple choice letter for your recruit to complete and send back to you. This is for those who do not like to write. 13. Write, write, write... no negatives... all upbeat and very positive. This can't be stressed enough. We want to keep his spirits up.