Every year, there are several “Christmas letters” that come in the mail, via snail mail, that I anxiously await. I cannot describe the anticipation that I feel knowing that these will come, with an update about several people and families that I feel so close to, but yet do not see very often.
One letter, comes on a black and white card with a snow-covered scene of New York City, or thereabouts, and is hand-written in the most beautiful script. The kind that came with hours of practice, a fine pen, and an attention to detail that is all too lacking in this day and age. It is from my old flute teacher, a reminder that I did in fact learn so much from him, not just how to be a musician. He shaped the person I am today.
Another letter, arriving punctually just before the 25th of December, is from a family that we have known for years, has helped us out and put us up in their home, with only company, wine, and a few laughs in return. They link us to the Coast Guard and remind us that my husband’s career as the Coast Guard flying-lawyer was real as well. They took us under their wing and continue to do so. Their Christmas letter is full of funny antics about their five children, and usually we all breathe a sigh of relief, as by the end, we do hear about their accomplishments as well.
The last letter comes trickling in and just arrived yesterday. This family celebrates Christmas on Orthodox time and their letter truly marks the end of the season. It is full of thoughtful reflections from the previous year, adventures abroad, and children who we will surely vote for one day, as they are both Presidential material: the Next American Dynasty.
I have tried to figure out why I love these letters so much. Is it a reminder of our past, so exciting at times? Is it the physical beauty of the handwriting or of the card itself? I cannot explain the importance of this tangible aspect to it. In this digital era we live, something is lost in the hustle and bustle of fast communication. Not to mention my handwriting has practically gone the way of the doctor’s script. Or maybe I just have sensory issues.
I am not a fan of New Years’ resolutions, but next year, I resolve to write a Christmas letter, no matter how busy we are. I will find a suitable pen first, and some beautiful paper. I will gather photographs from the year. I will write our family Christmas letter, with all the nostalgia I can muster, on a beautiful, tangible, Christmas card.
© copyright Mariam d’Eustachio 2013.
Simply Turquoise 
5 responses to “Life in Cards”
Lovely writing Mariam. I could not agree more. I for one love picking/sending Jacquie Lawson cards, but always end up also sending a few non virtual, printed holiday/birthday greetings. I love to display them, then feel badly about throwing them in the recycle bin a few weeks later. Especially when they contain hand written personal notes. I tried to preserve them over the years, but had to stop that after they threatened to take over the premises. Any good ideas as to what to do?
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I find it hard to recycle the cards too. We usually cut the picture out of the card and reuse it as next year’s gift tags. Punch a hole in it and tie it on with a ribbon. The ones I can’t bear to part with, I store in a shoebox. This will eventually become a problem, but for now, it’ll do. I’ll let you know if I think of any other ideas. And of course, all suggestions welcome!
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HI MARIAM, thoughtful way of sharing the best of your cards and giving us ideas of what to do, too. There is an non-profit which takes all the cards you can give them and recycles the fronts of the cards by making cards with them.
PAT
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why didn’t you mentoin anything about the cards I make?
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Grace, that’s a whole new blog post!
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