It's That Time Again

Christmas Cards. Yeah. I went by the old Target yesterday and bought a load of Christmas cards for this year. Currently we are up to sending out around 100 cards each Christmas. I know, we are masochists. My father stared in shocked silence as I set up my processing line on the coffee table while watching House last night. He asked why I sent out so many damn cards. Well, there are several reasons. The most selfish is that it's a way to network and keep people in our lives who might be able to help us out. As a military family we are always welcoming new people into our lives and we relay on those friends to help us navigate through the military system. I may not talk to some of them very often anymore but someday they might be able to help us adjust to a new base, discover a new government program that will help us or just be there as a shoulder to cry on when things get tough. In addition to being a military family I am blessed with close ties to extended family around the world. Nobody I know keeps in touch with 4th or 5th cousins in Norway or England. We do. These ties are wonderful for learning new cultures, family history and always having a place to stay when you are far from home. Some of the best cards come from overseas and I honestly don't want to miss out on those so I HAVE to send a letter and card every year. On a selfless level I know that some of the recipients, usually the older ones, really appreciate a letter and card, even from people they don't know well. Also there's something nice about receiving a lengthy letter and card instead of an email memo. Sure you save money with email but it's not alive and it isn't in your hands with your name handwritten.
That was another thing my father didn't understand. Why in the world would I handwrite all the addresses, return addresses and then two or three lines in each card. Because it's personal and intimate. Because of the mass of cards we do now I can't do anymore than that but we do enclose a typed memo as well. Still I need to write a few more personal lines in some cards to show more of a connection and personality.
Do people really appreciate it? I think more than half really enjoy it. And no, I don't get the same amount back... but maybe I'm showing my generation a new way of communicating... or old way. It's an art that is going away and really needs to stay with us. When I get a card with a personal message in it that is hand written I feel like someone cared. So here I am, caring for about 40 to 60 hours over the next month to get all these cards, memos, messages and addresses done. I care a lot.

FYI - If you usually get a card from us and have moved EMAIL your NEW ADDRESS to me! I hate getting these things back!