Christmas Cards

[poliphilo]

Last year we didn't send out any Christmas cards. This year we're sending out a very few. I've just been writing them. I believe today is the last day one can get away with using second class stamps.

There's no real pattern to the way Ailz and I observe Christmas. Sometimes we bother, sometimes we don't.  It's as the mood takes us. Last year we put up a Christmas tree but didn't send cards. This year we're sending cards but haven't put up a tree. 

The people I'm sending cards to are an odd bunch- an ex girlfriend, an ex-boss, a woman whose friendship I sort of inherited from my first wife and with whom I used to share an interest in radical theology. Most of the people I love have dropped from sight:  these few, random fellow pilgrims remain.

Ailz lost a childhood friend yesterday. He died suddenly in his sleep. He always said he wouldn't make 50- and he didn't-  by 5 months.  I wonder how he knew?

Comments

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

I suspect once my daughter is out of the house we may well adopt the same policy here. Some years I feel I can't be bothered, other times I go all out, and most of the time I carry out some traditions (yule log, luminarias) but wish I could forgo others (gifts, a tree). But we've never been consistent about sending out cards, and some of our friends are serious about it. They make them out of family portraits, and include a note explaining the events of their lives from the past year.

That's a little left of crazy for my taste.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Having children around does make a difference. We made a fuss last year because my son was living with us. This year we're on our own and I can't see the point.

[suemars.livejournal.com]

its taken me a few years, but i finally stopped doing things i didn't want to do...like cards, too much baking, etc. we are going away this year, so i am totally ignoring everything. i kind of like it. i have only done it for so long because i have been raising my granddaughter.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We're going to my sister's this Christmas. It'll be the first Christmas we'll have spent away from home since we were married.

[mamarose.livejournal.com]

My stepmother said the same thing. At 48 her doctor found a brain tumor, and 49 she passed. I've always wondered if she knew, or ... I don't even want to think about the other possibilities. This happened several years ago, and the concept still leaves me wondering.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

It's strange isn't it?

I wonder how she knew; was it just a feeling or had something happened to convince her?

[mamarose.livejournal.com]

I cannot count the number of times she would say something like "it's not like I am going to make it to 50". It was an off handed things. She and my dad split up about a year before she got sick, so even if I felt okay asking her about how she knew, I wasn't in touch with her anymore. I didn't find out until she died.

Oddly enough, my step father's first wife (mother of my step siblings) and my step mother were in the same chronic illness support group. After my stepmother died, my step father's ex called me to tell me. What a strange turn of events...

[algabal.livejournal.com]

It's frightening that someone can die so young, it makes me want to send cards and merriments even more, to let people know that I've not forgotten them.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I sort of envy him. He's gone ahead and cracked the big mystery.

[manfalling.livejournal.com]

On that note, thanks for the card Dad, and Ailz. I guess I'm one step lazier than you fairly permanently, as I never send cards to anyone. Maybe, one of these days...

Thanks though, and Merry Christmas to you both, and the family.

Mike.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Never mind, eh? This, I think, is the first time in a couple of years we've sent any cards.

Have a merry Christmas. Will you be going to any parties etc, etc?

love,

Dad