I have fond memories of writing letters to my Grandma. We couldn't talk via telephone. It was way too expensive!I loved as a kid getting notes in the mail!
You were the first pastor who thanked me for turning in my pledge card in handwriting! You were the first pastor who thanked me for my efforts at being pulpit assistant! This morning I got a thank you note after receiving in advance a set of Penzy spices for fixing a sweater! Words matter. If you haven't had time to visit in person a note is a kind gesture. But to send a note with your litany of accomplishments for the year... I'm not so sure. Please be thoughtful and try to include written words on the cards that you feel you ought to send. Is it guilt? Hum..... Brene Brown is whispering in my ear
I love the idea of sending "real" as opposed to digital greeting cards. Sadly, I haven't done it in a while. Maybe this holiday season is the time to start again. Thanks for the nudge.
I love greeting cards. There is something so much more intimate and personal with a card than just an email or text. I created a line of cancer survivor cards after my bout with b.c. I never got to launch them, but they kept me occupied for awhile. I also still send Christmas cards every year, but it's sad to say, the number we receive back dwindles ever year. Another thing for me to ponder, Mary. Thanks!
I send both electronic and hard copy cards. Agree with the comments about the value of holding a card in your hands and all that goes into selecting, composing, mailing, etc. a card. I am old-fashioned enough to think that I should send hard copies of Christmas cards because they are the real thing. Anything electronic is a little less than what the recipient deserves.
Another aspect is the archival value of a hard copy card. When in college, I would receive letters from both parents. Kept them for awhile but eventually discarded them. How I would treasure them today! One from my dad with all his crazy puns and one from my mom hinting that she really wanted me to enter the ministry. When I read about someone who discovered in the attic a box of letters exchanged while a loved one was away during the war, I think how can texts or emails possibly duplicate that. What happens to the heartfelt emails that are sent between friends or lovers during an extended time away? Where are the copies? How are they preserved? What about for genealogical purposes? Historical documentation?
I just realized that one of the remaining friends that sent me cards disappeared a year, or maybe 2 years ago. Literally-disappeared. It's not the card, but the envelope, I didn't have an address anywhere and in the places he moved between he may as well been named Bob Smith. The aging Christmas card sparkles and fades in the sunlight that makes it in through the window. Without a doubt, the last cards were sent to my Mother in Law. Cards are just not my thing. Maybe if something lights me up, I'll make a fabulous cut and paste greeting from magazines like I did with college party invitations. Maybe they'll get a message and a gif is more like it.
I am so glad I am not the only one with a child who struggles with how to address an envelope! Mary, you are great at cards - I rarely use them, as I guess you have noticed. lol
I love receiving actual snail mail that I can hold in my hand and sometimes drop into my memories box. So, I still send funny birthday cards to people. They usually get them sometime close to their birthday and they are never serious but as funny and snarky as I can get away with. Making people smile is never a bad thing.
My mother-in-law used to send cards to my kids -- Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day. It was her way of connecting to them in the pre-FaceTime times. I'm happy to know that she was thinking of them as she picked out each card. Getting mail was a novelty for my kids when they were little, not so much as they got older.
I struggle when sitting down to send a card for a birthday or life event. I call myself a writer and I never know what to say! That's the hardest part. It's partly why I think my card sending energy has dwindled. But then again, my mother-in-law rarely did more than sign her name. She was thinking of them just the same.
Given the rate of incarceration, I suggested to a wordsmith friend , the need to develop a line of cards for those who were held. Hair thinning and hair loss are also new frontiers. I have a niece who sends cards routinely and I look forward to receiving them. It takes time to select a card. Time is a commodity in short supply. A local school raises money by offering the art creations of the students in various forms for a price. Cards and magnets are among the products. Cards are mini gifts of time and thought! A friend of mine works for a church and their congregation sends cards to seniors who are isolated. It is a wonderful gesture and keeps many in the fold.
I love this idea: “cards are mini gifts of time and thought.” And buying cards with student art is fun. I like to send cards to our isolated church folks, too.
I gave away two of my handmade watercolor cards to elders who had been going through some things in life and at church. They were for them to use as they like. Both said “I’m framing these.” Which is kind. Our deacons send sympathy cards and they asked me to have a few designs available. Thanks for sharing the complexities of feelings. The image of a soup bowl of emotions is really good! And hot soup is healing. ❤️🩹
I just sent out 40 Thanksgiving cards. Why would a pastor, approaching one of the busiest seasons of the year do this? Insanity? Almost. But I can picture every person opening the card and sighing. I was thought of today, I matter. This is often what cards do for people. Many on my list are older relatives or older colleagues. Some have lost spouses and are alone, others no longer can travel to loved ones over the holidays. AND They SAVE the cards and reread them, or so I've been told. THE COST? It cost $20 at the dollar store for the cards, then the cost of stamps, then 2 hours of my time to write something in them and seal them. This is an investment in relationships. Oh my friends, well worth the cost, time and energy. Sending blessings and joy. Yes, complicated lives are not often covered in greeting cards, and they should be! Lets design an entire line of hard to find cards Mary! This could be our retirement project! Because card sending matters. oh it matters.
Try https://tinyandsnail.com/ for cards. I can't wait to read this book! Yesterday was a thousand microstresses and I didn't handle it all well. By the end of the day I was wrecked.
Sorry about your wrecking ball of a day! I’ll be curious to see what you think of the book. It helped me be more clear, so I’m not making other people nuts…as often!
I've often thought of designing cards to encourage those going through addiction or mental health issues. I agree...it's hard to find cards for anything other than idyllic situations. Even wishing someone happy birthday can get complicated.
I have fond memories of writing letters to my Grandma. We couldn't talk via telephone. It was way too expensive!I loved as a kid getting notes in the mail!
Yes! A letter was always a delight! Still is, for me.
You were the first pastor who thanked me for turning in my pledge card in handwriting! You were the first pastor who thanked me for my efforts at being pulpit assistant! This morning I got a thank you note after receiving in advance a set of Penzy spices for fixing a sweater! Words matter. If you haven't had time to visit in person a note is a kind gesture. But to send a note with your litany of accomplishments for the year... I'm not so sure. Please be thoughtful and try to include written words on the cards that you feel you ought to send. Is it guilt? Hum..... Brene Brown is whispering in my ear
I love the idea of sending "real" as opposed to digital greeting cards. Sadly, I haven't done it in a while. Maybe this holiday season is the time to start again. Thanks for the nudge.
I didn’t realize how many people still like to receive them! That gives me inspiration, too.
I love greeting cards. There is something so much more intimate and personal with a card than just an email or text. I created a line of cancer survivor cards after my bout with b.c. I never got to launch them, but they kept me occupied for awhile. I also still send Christmas cards every year, but it's sad to say, the number we receive back dwindles ever year. Another thing for me to ponder, Mary. Thanks!
The cancer cards sound perfect for so many people! I hope they find their way into the world, when the time is right.
I send both electronic and hard copy cards. Agree with the comments about the value of holding a card in your hands and all that goes into selecting, composing, mailing, etc. a card. I am old-fashioned enough to think that I should send hard copies of Christmas cards because they are the real thing. Anything electronic is a little less than what the recipient deserves.
Another aspect is the archival value of a hard copy card. When in college, I would receive letters from both parents. Kept them for awhile but eventually discarded them. How I would treasure them today! One from my dad with all his crazy puns and one from my mom hinting that she really wanted me to enter the ministry. When I read about someone who discovered in the attic a box of letters exchanged while a loved one was away during the war, I think how can texts or emails possibly duplicate that. What happens to the heartfelt emails that are sent between friends or lovers during an extended time away? Where are the copies? How are they preserved? What about for genealogical purposes? Historical documentation?
Yes! The college or war letters, before we could text. I’ve thrown them out, too, and it would be fun to see them again.
I just realized that one of the remaining friends that sent me cards disappeared a year, or maybe 2 years ago. Literally-disappeared. It's not the card, but the envelope, I didn't have an address anywhere and in the places he moved between he may as well been named Bob Smith. The aging Christmas card sparkles and fades in the sunlight that makes it in through the window. Without a doubt, the last cards were sent to my Mother in Law. Cards are just not my thing. Maybe if something lights me up, I'll make a fabulous cut and paste greeting from magazines like I did with college party invitations. Maybe they'll get a message and a gif is more like it.
I am so glad I am not the only one with a child who struggles with how to address an envelope! Mary, you are great at cards - I rarely use them, as I guess you have noticed. lol
I think everyone in their 20s and 30s is googling how to address an envelope!
I love receiving actual snail mail that I can hold in my hand and sometimes drop into my memories box. So, I still send funny birthday cards to people. They usually get them sometime close to their birthday and they are never serious but as funny and snarky as I can get away with. Making people smile is never a bad thing.
The snark! Bring on the snark!
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My mother-in-law used to send cards to my kids -- Halloween, Easter, Valentine's Day. It was her way of connecting to them in the pre-FaceTime times. I'm happy to know that she was thinking of them as she picked out each card. Getting mail was a novelty for my kids when they were little, not so much as they got older.
I struggle when sitting down to send a card for a birthday or life event. I call myself a writer and I never know what to say! That's the hardest part. It's partly why I think my card sending energy has dwindled. But then again, my mother-in-law rarely did more than sign her name. She was thinking of them just the same.
The things you write are always lovely and meaningful! That's fun about your MIL and the cards for your kids.
Given the rate of incarceration, I suggested to a wordsmith friend , the need to develop a line of cards for those who were held. Hair thinning and hair loss are also new frontiers. I have a niece who sends cards routinely and I look forward to receiving them. It takes time to select a card. Time is a commodity in short supply. A local school raises money by offering the art creations of the students in various forms for a price. Cards and magnets are among the products. Cards are mini gifts of time and thought! A friend of mine works for a church and their congregation sends cards to seniors who are isolated. It is a wonderful gesture and keeps many in the fold.
I love this idea: “cards are mini gifts of time and thought.” And buying cards with student art is fun. I like to send cards to our isolated church folks, too.
I gave away two of my handmade watercolor cards to elders who had been going through some things in life and at church. They were for them to use as they like. Both said “I’m framing these.” Which is kind. Our deacons send sympathy cards and they asked me to have a few designs available. Thanks for sharing the complexities of feelings. The image of a soup bowl of emotions is really good! And hot soup is healing. ❤️🩹
Oh, that’s lovely!
I just sent out 40 Thanksgiving cards. Why would a pastor, approaching one of the busiest seasons of the year do this? Insanity? Almost. But I can picture every person opening the card and sighing. I was thought of today, I matter. This is often what cards do for people. Many on my list are older relatives or older colleagues. Some have lost spouses and are alone, others no longer can travel to loved ones over the holidays. AND They SAVE the cards and reread them, or so I've been told. THE COST? It cost $20 at the dollar store for the cards, then the cost of stamps, then 2 hours of my time to write something in them and seal them. This is an investment in relationships. Oh my friends, well worth the cost, time and energy. Sending blessings and joy. Yes, complicated lives are not often covered in greeting cards, and they should be! Lets design an entire line of hard to find cards Mary! This could be our retirement project! Because card sending matters. oh it matters.
Yes, Kim. Words matter, cards matter!
That will be a fun retirement project for us! I love the mental picture of you thoughtfully sending cards.
Try https://tinyandsnail.com/ for cards. I can't wait to read this book! Yesterday was a thousand microstresses and I didn't handle it all well. By the end of the day I was wrecked.
And thanks for the link!
Sorry about your wrecking ball of a day! I’ll be curious to see what you think of the book. It helped me be more clear, so I’m not making other people nuts…as often!
I've often thought of designing cards to encourage those going through addiction or mental health issues. I agree...it's hard to find cards for anything other than idyllic situations. Even wishing someone happy birthday can get complicated.
Yes! Those would be fantastic cards!