Christmas Cards, Part @*

It seems I've been sucked into the Abyss of Lost Time by way of a red and white, pepperminty, spiralling vortex, also known as Christmastime. Holy shit.

I'm back!

Remember when I was hemming and hawing about whether or not to send out Christmas cards, and how to go about it this year? After mulling over many of your helpful comments -- thank you! -- I'd decided that I just couldn't handle it if I didn't send out the cards. I made up my mind that I would indeed go to the post office and purchase stamps but that I wouldn't design and print a letter this year. That evening, as if delivered to my post box by a damn angel, were bundles of lovely, lovely holiday stamps. There were enough for me to send out my Christmas cards.

My thoughtful, kind, and very generous friend, James, sent the stamps my way! I still can't believe what a thoughtful gift this is! I am still very happy and very, very sappy about it. Holy shit - THANK YOU.

So, I spent last night hunkered down with my spreadsheets and pretty, printed address labels. I had my cheerful green pen in hand and my trusty DABnSEAL Moistener within reach.** The boxes of cards were all organized and easily accessible. Sheets of return addresses were at the ready. I had a frosty Old Fezziwig Ale to keep me happy, rather than some wine. Then, I settled in to one of my favorite tasks of the year.

At first, I wondered that it may be obnoxious that I have such a long Christmas card list. But, as I went through the neatly organized names and tried to weed out folks I could remove, I realized the names weren't there so I can hoot and holler about how many cards I just dropped off at the post office. Each name on there reminds me of how blessed my life has been. Truly, the friends and family in my life are my greatest blessings. Oh, how I wish everyone had such wonderful people and relationships in their lives! In whatever wandering, complicated,ambivalent way I understand who/what Jesus/God is, I do know that I've only come to know Him/Her and his grace, compassion, justice, and unconditional love through the people in my life. So, truly, I believe my friends and family are blessings, indeed.

With each card I write and address I put on the envelope, I am granted a small moment to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for such grace in my life. I get to take a brief jaunt down memory lane and hope wildly that their dreams for the new year come true. I get to say I love you.***

So, James, I am saying thank you for giving me this gift, this time of reflection, gratitude and joy again this year. You, dear friend, are on my Christmas card list.

(What else I've been doing: bundling up many, many batches of homemade cookies and delivering them. Yay!)

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*When I posted about my love for Christmas cards and the ensuing wrestling match with my checkbook, I mis-typed the "1" in my title. I thought I'd try to be consistent.

**Hmmm, do you think perverts will find this site, now?

*** My favorite line in a song, without a doubt, is from "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. It damn near sums up my spiritual beliefs, too.

I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying, "I love you"