I have been home the last few days to open the mailbox to find Christmas cards. I would do a little happy dance, with each one I opened. I know how hard it is these days to accomplish this. I still love facebook to keep up with friends near and far. A lot of what I wrote about in the beginning of the year is the effect of computers on our lives. How it more easily documents our time, but also robs us of many hours we would have accomplished something. The last few years I really have been taking the time and savoring the Hallmark aisle during Christmas. It used to stress me out, to take the time to find a card for my immediate family. Now, I savor the time and it is full of good intentions, as I read many cards until I find the perfect one.
Memory keeping has been a struggle for me the last ten years. Why do I save everything? Going through Christmas decorations, I also found piles of photo cards from past years. I found a way to make ornaments out of the cards and mail them out this year. The organizing part happened in May when I was going through everything. I couldn't throw them out. But, after this I can now! Every year when we get photo cards they go on the fridge and stay up until the next Christmas. A tradition I love and will carry on with. I loved making these ornaments this year. I really needed the feeling of making someone happy when they opened a card from us. I always loved sending photo cards of the kids. So, about ten years ago I stopped. It was the same time as feeling the weight of becoming an empty nester. It's natural, but takes quite amount of adjustment to not be sad. So, I filled my plate and became busier, then ever. Opening the store Greetings from Geralyn really took the focus away from buying cards. Because, now I was making 100's of them. And, why would I go out to buy them with all I had on hand?
But, eleven years ago we got a big surprise. I was working full time in Princeton at Paper Source. While keeping in touch with the kids with thier first semester of college. Ian started telling us how he started a Christmas Big Band. Then he told us he recorded four songs. I think it was Glen who had the idea of sending CD's for Christmas. Working for Paper Source I knew we had cards to hold Cd's. Kaylyn got right to work, and made a logo for the cover. I had to figure out how to print it on the card. I ended up getting giant stickers to put on the cover and back. I don't even think we have a copy for ourselves. If we did, I hope I find it. It was our greatest accomplishment as a family putting this card together. That Christmas was one of the best ever, because it all came as a surprise. And, when your house is quiet without the usual laughter and music that children bring, it was welcomed. I still miss hearing Kaylyn singing, as she would greet each day. I also miss us singing Christmas songs in the car together. Thank you to all who keep the tradition alive sending Christmas Cards. And, to you all who don't, it's alright. Life is coming at us quicker then ever, and unless something brings us joy, it shouldn't matter. Christmas cards shouldn't come as an obligation. I know last year I didn't send any, and I don't regret it.
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