There has been a lot in the news lately about the necessity of closing some smaller post offices. I find this so very sad. My Dad was the Postmaster of the Warrenton Post Office for many years - and so the institution played a huge part in my life. This picture is one that was taken fairly recently, I suppose. I don't remember all the bushes and trees.
I do remember going to visit my Dad and playing in the back on the mail carts. I'm sure that the postal workers were less than enthused by my worrisome chatter - but they were always gracious! No one ever delivered our mail since Daddy brought it home with him from work every day - and the only time of the year that I was ever slightly interested in mail was during the Christmas season. Of course, I looked forward to the Sear's Wishbook, like every other kid...but I also loved the Christmas cards. What happened to the joy of Christmas cards?
It seemed that sending Christmas cards became a duty...a chore to get through. And people were always looking for ways to make their list shorter. I even know some folks who recorded who they RECEIVED a card from and used that information to create the next year's list. Miss a year, and you are off the list forever! No holiday wishes for you!
I also remember when the Christmas newsletter started slipping in among the stack of colorful, glitter-filled holiday wishes. Typed on a boring piece of paper (sometimes with a gratuitous print of a wreath or snowman) ...no hand-written note - not even a written signature... filled with mind-numbing details that might have been more interesting if the sender had simply called occasionally and made personal contact. And, the real kicker was the typed address label. A mass mailing. Not terribly festive.
So, why this rant about Christmas cards...in October? Because sometimes I mourn the loss of good old human contact. Emails and IM's and FB postings are good - but they are just not the same. So, I am going to make a preposterous offer. Are you ready? Ok...
If you would like to receive a good old fashioned Christmas card with a hand-written note this year from ME - send your name and address to my email: terre.sadler@gmail.com. No solicitation - or networking - no ulterior motive...just a desire to give something back during the season. I won't use your address for anything else. I promise.
I simply would like to send you a little happy sparkly good cheer this year. Who couldn't use a little bit of that?
I confess, I've narrowed my Christmas card list because I got tired of sending out 20 cards and getting 5. ;) You know my address, I know yours, so I'll include you in the 10 I still send. :)
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