My grandmother (Nannie) sends every member of her family a card on their birthday. It amazes me every year when she remembers my birthday and the birthdays of my little family. The first year that I was married, my husband was included as well. Now, that is no little feat when you consider who is in her “family”. As of my last count, her family includes five daughters, five son-in-laws, eleven grandchildren, six grandchildren-in-laws, and nine great grandchildren. That’s a total of twenty-seven birthdays to remember, cards to purchase, personal notes to write, envelopes to stuff and address, and stamps to lick—not to mention a small fortune in postage! However, each year I receive the card, read the message, put it on the bulletin board, and then I put it away to save. Now, there are very few emails that have ever meant enough to me to display and save!
My other grandmother used to give me books and would always include a letter or note. Now, that she has passed away, I will often accidently come across a book or cookbook and read her letters. It is almost like she is still here. They are precious treasures that I am so glad she took the time to include. Between these written words that my grandmothers made a priority to bless me with, they have made me feel loved even when miles and years have separated us.
It’s so exciting to receive a letter in the mail! It breaks the monotony of the usual contents within the mailbox including bills, junk mail, sales ads, magazines, and such. There is just something about a handwritten letter, note, or card. You know there was an effort that went behind it. Honestly, I usually feel guilty when I receive one! In all honesty, it’s rather difficult to take the time to purchase a card or put the thought into writing a letter. However, that is the treasured part of the letter—the thought put behind it! I often have very good intentions of writing a letter or sending a card. Unfortunately, at times, I will buy the card or write the letter and never send it…the brain lapses that come with “mamahood”! If it means so much to me though, it would definitely mean something to my loved ones. Thus, it is something I should work on doing more frequently and consistently!
Let’s see…how many ways are you “connected” to people. Off the top of my head, I came up with facebook, MySpace, twitter, blogs, emails, texts, phone calls, mail, cell phones, etc... Now, consider, which one you use the least? It is probably the one that means the most. Reflect on how much correspondence that you save from the others? Letters, cards, and notes are probably the ones that are treasured by the most of us. In today’s world, we are used to things being quick, easy, and almost effortless. What did we do before cell phones, email, and televisions? We had no choice but connect to people!
My husband once gave me a wonderful Christmas present—100 things he loves about me. Now, he hates to write anything. My birthday and anniversary cards usually have a couple words and his signature so this particular gift was even more of a treasure. We could learn a lot from my grandmothers! The effort behind the action is what demonstrates the love, and that’s what is treasured and will always be treasured.
I encourage you to sit down and take the time to pour out a sincere letter or card to three people. Most importantly, I’ll remind you not to follow my example and never mail them! Let the people that you care about know that you care about them by writing it down and taking the time and effort. One day, this may give them a sweet memory of how much you cared about them.
Speaking of that, I have thank you notes that I should have mailed out….in JULY!
Mama Drama Rule #19-Make a point to leave a “written” trail of love that can be treasured by those you love!
Project- I am “stealing” my hubby’s great idea and writing my girls both a letter of 100 things I love about them! I want them to know that there are so many things I loved about them…even at their young ages of 1 and 3! I’ll add the pictures as soon as I finish!
2 comments:
Hmm, likin' this idea. Only I'm thinking I will do a whole scrapbook-type thing with a couple items on each page, and perhaps do it over a longer period of time, so the "things I love about you" will reflect their exploration of life as they grow.
Jess,
Robert and I did this for our "newlywed"/"wedding" scrapbook album. We did 100 things we like....I had to ambush Robert when we were stuck in a car for a couple hours (not really his thing!), but they turned out really neat. Now, that it's been almost seven years...it is really neat to read and see how much we've changed! I love your idea too...it would be neat to do an entire scrapbook about LOVE-things they love at each year of their life and things you love about them throughout their life! Such a cute idea, Jess!
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