I have finished writing my Christmas cards to friends and
family to post, and I have really enjoyed it. I usually find this very
stressful, almost like another chore to get through, then cross off the long
list of things to do in the frantic lead up to Christmas.
Yet I love receiving cards and haven’t previously really
considered if those who choose to send my family and I a card have also
struggled to find the time – we all lead such hectic lives. How thoughtless of
me. Time is equally important to all of us and we are all responsible for how
we choose to spend it. Writing cards with bad grace and irritation is so futile.
In fact why bother at all? A false sense of duty and loyalty? Tradition?
Everyone expects you to do it? You want one back?
An alternative of course, that many people I know choose, is
to donate to charity instead. Of course I can’t criticise their intentions and
their meaning. It is a very personal thing and who am I to judge how much the
chosen charity means to them? It does seem a bit less personal though – how do
those who would have received a card, had their friend chosen the traditional
route, know that they were in the donator’s thoughts when the donation was
made? Maybe they weren’t…
This year, I sat down properly to write my cards - mainly
charity – and by the way, without sounding like too much of a goody two shoes,
I regularly give to various charities and do charity events.
I got out my battered old address book and spent some time
updating addresses. It’s amazing how quickly texts and FB messages asking for
postal addresses I had mislaid or forgot were replied to. An indication of
happiness that this must mean a card is coming their way? Then I started to
write the cards, choosing each carefully and adding a personal message.
With each page in my address book came many wonderful
memories of all of the great people I know, and have known well enough in the
past to want to maintain contact and genuinely send them good wishes and love.
I have also recently ‘celebrated’ my 50th birthday and this has led
to a lot of reflection. How have I spent my life so far? How do I feel about
the choices I have made? Who has influenced me? Who has it been an absolute
honour to know or be related to? Have I got the balance right between work, family
and friends? Who do I want to continue to spend time with in the next half
century?
Many of those questions are still swirling around my head,
but one thing I am certain of is the importance of making the effort to see
more of the people who matter to me. I was surprised when writing some of the
cards at how long it was since I last saw that person, yet I enjoy their
company so much and appreciate their friendship.
Busy family lives… Busy work schedules... Working hard yet
not smart... Tiredness... Living in different parts of the country... Conflicting
priorities… The list goes on… So I think I am only going to make one resolution
for 2015, with any luck that means I can stick to it, and that is to make much
more time for my friends and loved ones.
By the way, re ‘round robin’ letters… let’s not even go
there…
