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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.