Cards

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the cards. I not only love that there is something in the mailbox that is worth going to get the mail, but I LOVE the pictures. When the picture greeting cards became the norm I was so excited! I enjoy opening each card and seeing the happiness on the faces of those in the photo. I love the time that was spent picking just the right card and photos and wording to fill it. I love that someone, even if it's once a year, takes the time to write out all the addresses and pay for all the stamps. A little bit of love goes into each Christmas card! 

There's this stigma attached to "the Christmas card photo". The idea that no matter what is going on, happy, sad, indifferent, we're going to smile and put our best self forward for the world to see. To some point I think it's good, we can have a moment in the chaos to purposely be happy. Laugh, be silly, maybe even spontaneous! The problem with it comes when it's an act... When we don't let anyone in and aren't able to work through it. There's a difference between going through a hard time and it being a life style. We all go through some times when we're down or sad or going through hard times. It's ok to be where you're at. I think it's important though to remember to that we can still have happy moments in the hard times. 

I take time each year to display the cards somewhere as they come. Sometimes I'll walk past and see the goofy poses or the joy in the faces of the kids and it takes me right back to moments I spent with them. I think that's why I enjoy the cards so much. The faces on the cards aren't distant, they're a memory not so far away. Although it may have been months or years since I last interacted with the person, the memories are fresh. I can hear their laughs. Picture the last time we laughed together. I remember jokes made or embarrassing moments. Or little things we know about each other. 

Through the cards you can see what families enjoy doing together. The memories they are making. They give you a glimpse of what it looks like to be a part of them. You can watch as distant friends and relatives grow and change. Some introduce new family members by birth or marriage or adoption. 

I think when it's all peeled away I love the cards because it reminds me how we are all on a journey. We pass though seasons touching each others lives for a moment or for eternity. Each time we make those connections we add a little something to each other's journey. Whether it enriches or takes away it changes us. It makes an imprint on our heart. It reminds us where we've been, what we've overcome, how quickly time passes. It reminds ME how important it is to live each day fully. How one day down the road this will just be another season in our journey.

As the season comes to an end it saddens me to take down all the cards. I reexamine each one. Enjoying all the relationships and lives that touched mine.... For now the walls will stay bare... Until next year!