Light/Breezes

Light/Breezes
SUNRISE AT DEATH VALLEY-Photo by Tom Cochrun

Monday, December 21, 2015

THE POWER OF THE GREETING

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
     Not sure what the stats show but it's my hunch fewer Christmas cards are being sent via US Mail. A) some folks no longer send cards and B) like so many things in life cards have also moved to cyberspace.
Snow Angel by Jacquie Lawson
          Lana has made our cards since we've been married. For several years she laments, "this is the last time I'm going to do it," but each year she is grabbed again by the old tradition. She creates the card and I write the message.
      I am a great fan of the tradition. I love receiving the beautiful works of art and am moved by the sentiment and message. Like my father before me and his before him, I love the Christmas Season, everything about it and especially the cards. Here is a chance to think about each of the recipients and to recall their role in your life and memories. As a youngster I didn't "get" the idea of the Christmas letter, of course the writer, the events and people were known by parents, for whom the message had significance. Now I look forward to the letters and notes and feel a special connection and bond.
       When the season ends, we put the cards away and then in June get them out and after dinner for a week or two read a few of the cards and messages again. 
     There is something good about the care, selection and pause in life for reflection that Christmas cards signify. Addressing envelopes, signing and adding messages, taking them to the mail box or selecting electronic cards and entering personal emails are an act of thoughtfulness, caring and decency.
     It is a simple thing in an increasingly complicated world. But for that moment that we gaze at a scene or read the words we may feel something, remember, connect and have a good human moment. That is something extraordinary.
     It is thought the first Christmas cards were sent in the 1840's in England. An industry and a culture has followed. What do you think about cards?  
And There Is Also This….
     There is a beautiful rhythm to the story behind this. My friend Ray calls and asks if we'll be around in the next day or two.  "I have a little something to drop by," he says.
     After our years in Cambria I know what that means, and I start salivating immediately.
    Terri, Ray's better half, could well be the undisputed Cheesecake champion of California and all points east. Her creations are tastes of heaven! I consider myself a bit of a Cheesecake connoisseur and Terri's are in a league all of their own.
     I'm not sure Ray had cleared the end of our driveway before I was untying the bow, had plates on the counter and the pie cutter ready to go to work.
     Yea, there's a lot to make this the most wonderful time of the year!

    See you down the trail.
      

10 comments:

  1. I thought Christmas was all about giving and sharing. Did you save a piece of cheesecake for me?

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  2. I remember as a kid how exciting it was to reach into the mailbox and pull out all of those festive Christmas cards. These days we get only a handful and mostly from merchants.

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    1. I feel for the postal carriers, given the volume of catalogues that they deliver.
      Somebody in the printing industry must be doing well this time of year.

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  3. We are finding more and more as we age that we send and receive fewer cards. It's just become a bit of a drag.

    But I'd sure help you with that cheesecake!

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  4. I'm sure you'd enjoy it. Those cookies you posted about would be tasty as well!

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  5. I too am a fan of cheesecake. NY style, the rich texture with the almost light brown top. Wish I had access here, but....
    The cards I remember are the ones my girls made, circa 3 to 6th grade. Sometimes watercolor, sometimes crayon, sometimes glitter and decorations glued to the outside.
    I miss those.

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  6. Your memories evoke ours. Lana makes a NY style-rich texture is an apt description.
    The kid's ornaments were also precious.

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  7. People are sending text messages or online greetings. But I'd say nothing beats receiving snail mails. :)

    Happy Christmas!

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    1. Some old traditions are best. A very Happy Christmas to you as well.

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