Dec. 6, 1996
The snow is snowing all around. It's like a winter wonderland. But I need a frolicking companion. I had to go out alone - took some pictures, but it was still snowing. Grampa's knees won't let him frolic in the snow... Aunt G. and Grampa are sleeping and I'm left alone to think of what's to eat...
The snow is snowing all around. It's like a winter wonderland. But I need a frolicking companion. I had to go out alone - took some pictures, but it was still snowing. Grampa's knees won't let him frolic in the snow... Aunt G. and Grampa are sleeping and I'm left alone to think of what's to eat...
Dec. 16, 1996
It was good talking to you last night, and we are looking forward to seeing you. The sun is almost peeking through the grey sky, but the ground is so wet it's like a swimming pool. I decided to start doing a few things this morning, 'cause we have to go to VT in the middle of the week. Will know more tonight... I'm watching the birds and squirrels chase each other around the yard. I'll be glad when the bird feeder gets put back off the deck. I'm sending very few [Christmas] cards this year - so I must get at sending. I always like to write a bit on each card.
Gram was known for her cards. She would write a short personal message on each one she sent. This tradition of handwriting Christmas cards has generally waned, and it saddens me a bit. It is most likely due to Gram's influence that I eagerly anticipate the mail truck during the Christmas season. Receiving a card means someone has thought about you - even if only for the amount of time it takes to stamp your address on the envelope.
But that thought matters.
Now is the era of photo cards - smiling faces but impersonal messages - and I am as guilty as the next person of sending these types of cards. Yet it's still important to me. Gram's influence shines through - cards are an old-fashioned, heart-warming way of connecting with people across the miles. Writing addresses on envelopes, I think about each person and wonder how they are doing, and truly hope that the year ahead will be good for them.
As connected as I may be via all our new technology, I will never stop mailing Christmas cards. And I will never stop feeling a burst of happiness when I open the mailbox and see an envelope addressed to me, from a friend.
