I have to thank Heidi over at Virushead for bringing this “Dysfunctional Family Letter Generator” to my attention. Heidi and I have a lot in common, both having come out of a cult-like upbringing, and seeing this headline in my RSS feed list really caught my attention. Thanks Heidi! 
Having come from a very dysfunctional family, and now being part of an extended dysfunctional family, step-family, blended family, “you have GOT to be kidding” sort of family, I couldn’t stop laughing at this letter generator. If only I had the courage to really send one of these, eh?
Laughter is therapeutic, right?
I especially liked the ability to change certain phrases in each sentence of the letter, making it even more humorous (and truthful) as I went along.
Unlike Heidi, I mailed out Christmas cards today, even to those I’d rather not bother with. So to just lighten the “funky” mood I was in all day, I’m now going to work out my angst writing and re-writing with this letter generator. After say, twenty revisions or so, I think I’ll be feeling peachy all over again. 
Anonymous Hints:
I thought for a minute I’d mention stumbling across a site that allows people to anonymously send a co-worker, friend or relative (whoever) an “anonymous hint” e-card letting them know that they wear too much perfume or cologne, have a body odor problem, their spouse is cheating on them, have bad breath, or various other offensive behaviors.
While I think the Dysfunctional Family Letter Generator is all in fun and not something I’d actually send anyone, sending someone (even anonymously) an e-card telling them they “stink” is well…, just plain mean. But, you be the judge.
Popularity: 12% [?]
5 responses so far ↓
1 Hungry Mother (45 comments.) // Dec 16, 2007 at 8:40 am
I love randomly generated letters and essays. It’s so cool to see what kind of stuff can come out of it. Back in the 70s, I used to do that kind of stuff on our college’s mainframe computer and send it around anonymously.
2 Heidi (6 comments.) // Dec 16, 2007 at 9:42 am
I agree - If nothing else, anonymous letters are cowardly.
Thanks for the wonderful mention. I played with the letter generator for a good long while. It made me laugh. Sometimes just having a safe space to think such thoughts helps them to resolve themselves … (smile)
Heidi’s last blog post..Dysfunctional Family Letter Generator
3 melissa (7 comments.) // Dec 16, 2007 at 11:04 pm
i agree with heidi! while it would be an amazing catharsis…an anonymous letter is, somewhat, cowardly. actually, in my case, so is posting about it on my blog and having it be discovered by the people i was writing about!
but, i’m going to go play around with a dysfunctional letter. maybe, one day, i’ll have the nerve to actually sign it!
hope you had an amazing weekend!
xoxo
4 Bad Breath Fighter (1 comments.) // Dec 17, 2007 at 1:40 pm
I checked out the Letter Generator, I actually think that instead of the catharsis it’s supposed to offer, it just merely reinforces bitterness and encourages you to develop a grudge. For instance, If I were to tell someone that they had bad breath, I would respect them enough to pull them aside and tell them gently. I once helped a co-worker solve her ad breath problem, I told her that quite a few people had been noticing it, and I told her about Therabreath, the toothpaste and mouthwash that worked for me. I’d like to share this to all of you as well — http://blog.therabreath.com — great resource of bad breath news.
5 Julie Pippert (1 comments.) // Dec 18, 2007 at 11:56 am
I agree; those anonymous letters are cowardly and cruel.
If you don’t have the gumption to politely tell this person you know your opinion, then I think you just have to accept the situation.
Off to check out that letter generator…very timely!!
Julie
Using My Words
Julie Pippert’s last blog post..The Top 10 Ways Christmas is the Ultimate Downfall of Western Civilization (Late Entry Monday Mission)
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