Because I knew you….

Just thinking about one of my favorite parts of

Christmas

-sending and receiving Christmas cards.

No, I don’t love the time they take to prepare, the hassle of getting your whole family to pose for a picture, or spending part of your children’s inheritance on postage stamps.  Also, I usually struggle with coming up with a message that sums up all our lives in a couple of paragraphs without sounding too boastful (you know the pride of a mother) or grimly pessimistic (when you have those unwelcome trials that we all go through).  It is often a big seasonal stress for me…

BUT

I do enjoy the connection they give me with loved ones I don’t get to see very often.  I love seeing pictures of how your children or grandchildren have grown.  It is fun reading about what you have been doing, and I like looking at your pictures every time I open my refrigerator. Yes, I keep the pictures up all year.  (I just trim off the Christmas borders.) The first thing I do when coming home from work each day is to check the mail and hope it contains more than just ads and bills.

With today’s social media it is a lot easier to stay in touch with people, but I admit I like the personal touch of a picture or letter.

After listening to the wonderful musical “Wicked” by

Stephen Schwartz today, I am reminded just how much each of you means to me.  The song “For Good” is  beautiful! (Google the original Broadway cast and check it out if you are not familiar with it.)

The message is perfect:

(Glinda) “I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason,
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.”

Well, I hope you are all planning on getting your cards ready to send (and that I’m on your list). I will be watching my mail box for your card!

If you want a card from me, please send me your address (if I don’t already have it).

P.S.  I had a fun day today at Whitney’s baptism, with some cute little cousins.

Thanks for sharing the picture, Jenni!

♥

JoAnn