Top: Birthday cards from my second floor neighbor Sally, my sister Courtney & Robert, friends Danielle & Josh. Bottom row: My online friend Bobi (who included a retro cow magnet for my fridge), my friend & former classmate Diana, friends Chuck & Robin, my sister Shawn
I was talking to my Canadian friend Robin the other morning (who sent me that cool ‘black cats & bats’ Halloween card in the bottom row for my birthday a week ago), and was telling her I have a real problem throwing away cards.
She said she held onto cards for sentimental reasons and I said I did the same, like ones from my mom (who passed 19 years ago) as she always wrote such nice messages inside. But even the ones I don’t keep, it pains me to toss them anytime soon.
There’s not many here, and of the few I got, half were a surprise; but I genuinely like the people who sent them and I feel fortunate to know them. I’m fortunate, period. I’ve got my health for the most part, my own place in a part of the world that isn’t torn apart by war, enough money in the bank to pay my bills and live comfortably.
Y’know, I feel silly for posting much of the things I do on my blog. I worry about guns and climate change and Israel and Ukraine and the future of our country’s democracy like everyone else. (At least I hope everyone else worries about these things.) I just don’t feel the need to write about those things right now. Maybe in the future, I don’t know.
For now I just want to thank the people who sent those cards above (and the cow magnet below) and the smart, funny readers who visit my blog. That’s all!
How nice of those who sent you cards.
ReplyDeleteAs for what you write about, I understand. I tend to avoid those subjects on my blog as well. Though I don't mind when others do, and I will make comments there. :)
Thank you Maebeme, you're always so nice. I need to check out your own blog.
DeleteHappy Birthday, again! I tend to save cards and letters that are meaningful, but toss the rest away. Very sweet of those people, who loved you enough to send you cards and that cow magnet.
ReplyDeleteThank you Gigi, I wasn't looking for more birthday wishes I swear :^) Just wanted to show the cards. I hope your sister Sylvia had a nice bday too.
DeleteI think your posts are usually funny and interesting, so I wouldn't change a think about them if I were you. Oh, and happy birthday belated! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you DJan (but no birthday wishes please I already posted 2 birthday posts)!
DeleteHappy Birthday. I loved seeing your cards. I have a couple of boxes of old cards. I have an old red satin heart shaped box full of Valentine's cards my mother got when she was in grade school. We all have memories but these are memories we can touch. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Celia, I love the idea of that red satin box. Well you're certainly right about these being memories you can hold :)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Doug! I agree with you about blogging about world affairs. I'm sickened by so much yet not knowledgeable enough about any of it to write posts on those subjects. You had a great birthday, full of cute cards and special gifts! Friendship is one of the best gifts of all. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThis was nice! Thank you Margaret, much appreciated! :^)
DeleteHi Doug, loved seeing all your cards! I laughed when I read the front of Sally’s.😆Like you I have kept cards from my Mum and I have the few that my Dad wrote too.
ReplyDeleteWith so much going on in the world right now it is wonderful just for a few moments to read peoples blogs about their everyday lives.
Take care and I am glad I can call you a friend Doug.❤️
Robin
Well Robin, you just made my day--thank you (and thank you for being my friend too). Haha about Sally's card, it kinda took me by surprise! :^)
DeleteThat is a wonderful collection of cards, how nice of people to send them. It seems as though cards are becoming a relic of another time. I send cards, but receive almost none. One year I sent over 100 Christmas cards (during the pandemic when we weren't seeing people face to face), and I received just a handful.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like everyone uses social media to send their greetings. I don't think it's the same thing as a card, though. But, I've had people say that it's too hard to pick out a card, find a stamp, then find a mailbox or go to the post office to put it in the mail. And, you have to keep track of people's addresses. Well, yes we did that for decades but now it seems too hard?
Thank you dkzody and boy are we cut from the same cloth it seems--I like to send out cards too (esp at Christmas) but like you said, its becoming more and more a relic. (That's why I was surprised to even get these this year on my brthday.) I remember in the 90s sending 50 cmas cards, but I bet this year I send a dozen at most. Oh well, more & more I feel like a dinosaur.
DeleteGuess I'm old school, Dug, as I love cards, notes, and letters. Not that I don't enjoy email and texts and use both a lot. But you can't tie up those in a ribbon or store them in a box to enjoy later (actually I guess you could - if you printed out the ones you wanted to keep?). Anyway, I have boxes of these from family and friends that are no longer here... and letters from my kids that wrote from college or boot camp, etc. They mean a lot. And although the affairs of the world are important, everyday life and affairs close to home are too.
ReplyDeleteRian thank you very much, and for what you shared here too. It's people like yourself that make me feel a little more okay. I bet you have some wonderful memories saved too. And I appreciate people like yourself noting the importance of everyday things and life too. :^)
DeleteYou're very welcome! I'm glad you had a good birthday. It's funny I just had the same "can't throw cards away" conversation with my aunt when she called to thank me for her birthday card. I'll tell you what I told her, I love to send cards to let people know I care and that I remembered them, but don't fret about throwing them away because I shop at the dollar store. Ha! I agree it's hard to throw some away (like the ones from your mom---definitely keepers!) but we all have limited space for keepsakes so the more we collect the pickier we have to be lest we become hoarders. I feel like a dinosaur too so you're in good company! 😉
ReplyDeleteHaha thanks very much Bobi! Had to laugh at the dollar store reference, but it really does help! Anyway, thank you for the wonderful feedback and regardless of the card, that bovine magnet is a keeper! 😄
DeleteHappy birthday! You've made another year, and that's a big deal. You always seem to have a good attitude, and I appreciate that when I visit your blog.
ReplyDeleteDonna, you just made my evening. This was so nice on your part, thank you. 🙂
DeleteHappy birthday, Doug. Don’t apologize for writing about good things. Keep it up—we all need to stay focused on the positive and meaningful things in our lives. We all need each other and we need to share in the events of one another’s lives.
ReplyDeleteP.S. But don’t become a greeting card hoarder! 😀
DeleteHaha thanks Don! :^)
DeleteI keep birthday and Christmas cards too, but mostly only the ones from family and a couple of close friends. Maybe I'll have them all buried with me someday. The cards not the family and friends.
ReplyDeleteRiver, you are too funny--I always enjoy hearing what you have to say :^)
DeleteSending a card using snail mail is a very nice personal touch. Many send e-cards and/or email greetings it is not quite the same.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, I 100% agree. That's why I'm having a tough time letting go of these cards.
DeleteThere's just something special about holding a card or letter and seeing a note in handwriting. Kim in PA
ReplyDeleteHi Kim, it's nice to hear from you--and yep, you're exactly right. Some things never go out of style. :^)
DeleteI keep cards too. I go through them once in a while and keep just a few from each person. Please don’t write about world events! Your blog and others are a respite from all the bad things going on. Keep it funny and lighthearted , imho. Joyce
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Joyce! And comments like yours are what keeps me going. 🙂
DeleteI tend to keep cards. Not for any sentimental reason or because I might like a particular one, but because I’m lazy. After birthday, Christmas, whatever, I put them aside and the next one that comes around goes on top.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I seldom receive more than 2 or 3 at a time so the pile isn’t so high.
Peter
Thanks for sharing Music Man, well at least you're honest! 👍
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