THE LOST TRADITION

 

So, it’s that time of the year….Christmas has come and gone and New Year’s is just on the horizon.  And I am looking back over the last couple of Christmases.  Hmmmmm.

For a couple of years now Christmas cards are getting fewer and fewer and that fact makes me sad.  Yes, I know they are expensive to send out and maintain the lists, but, geeze I sure do miss them.  I have an unreasonable love of Christmas cards.  I love sending them out and I love receiving them….they just help get me in the Christmas mood!!!

There was a time, not so long ago, that I sent out over 100 cards every Christmas.  I have a routine, every Thanksgiving weekend I prepare my cards, sign them, address them, stamp them and then hold on to them until the first week in December to send out.  And it is usually about the time I start receiving cards, usually the first one from my cousin, Terry Lynn. 

Most of the cards go to my extended family and good friends, but I do have a couple of odd balls in there.  For example….I used to own a consignment clothing store.  One of my regular customers was a young woman who was a student at the University of Cincinnati.  She shopped regularly enough that we became friends.  She eventually graduated from UC, moved back to her home state of Michigan, got married, started her family, got divorced and carried on.  Through all that, we always exchanged Christmas cards.  The last time I saw her was at her wedding, probably 25 years ago.

Then there is Debbie.  She and I shared an office when we worked at Hoxworth Blood Center.  She was the admin assistant to the Director; I was the admin assistant to the Administrator.  There was a lot of drama in those positions that brought us close together.  She was married, but without children.  Her husband got transferred to Miami, Florida for his job and we have been exchanging cards since 1988.  Haven’t seen her since. 

Finally, there is Mrs. James.  In 1974 I was living in Fairbanks, Alaska and working for the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Law Enforcement.  My boss was this awesome guy, Red James.  He is no doubt my all-time favorite boss.  I left Alaska in 1975 I moved to Guam and shortly after Red divorced his wife, remarried, moved from Fairbanks, to Tok Junction and carried on.  Every year we always exchanged Christmas cards.  A few times, on return visits, we would reunite.  Eventually, in the early 2000’s I learned that Red had passed.  That year in my Christmas card I asked his widow, whom I have never met, if I could continue to send her cards and stay in touch.  She said sure. 

So you can see, I love sending Christmas cards…..and I really, really miss not receiving them like I used to.  I understand, I get it….but still….I really, really miss them.