It's my Mother's Birthday and a life lesson.

Today is my Mother's 80th Birthday!   She lives in a world of paper and pens; she does not do  technology.
When I was at her house yesterday, she still had all her Valentines cards, lined up on her fireplace mantel.  She is proud of her display and looking at them makes her so happy!   She is like Vanna White, she goes card to card telling me what they say, and who sent them and always ends with, “Aren't they nice?”
That was yesterday, today all Valentines cards will be replaced with tons and tons of
Birthday cards.   Her mail box was stuff with envelopes, small ones, red ones, pink ones, all shapes and size; each one addressed to her, with perfect penmanship.   She gathers each card and places them on her dining room table, in a neat stack waiting for all of us to arrive so we can watch her open them and share in her birthday memories.  This is our tradition: First, she will read the return label, this is from my sister, this is from my doctor’s office, this is from my friend down the street, Oh look who remembered, my friend from grade school.  She will open them, read it, smile to herself and pass it around for all of us to read.  We pass them in a circle, and then back to her, and she stacks them on her lap.  We wait until the last card is open and read, then we all stand up, stretch and she starts her display.  Each card opened and placed at attention, with the envelope on the bottom as the base.  She arranges them so each card gets the proper respect and all can see them.   When someone new comes into the house, she directs them over to all the cards, lined up like soldiers.  She will gently take one and say, Look who sent this one, it’s beautiful.  
My sweet mother has made me realize that technology can never replace the sentiment of card, the thoughtfulness and kindness of a handwritten envelope, loving message on a paper greeting.  At 80 years old, she will not open an email, a text or send/ receive a digital card.  All of her birthday wishes will be on paper; they will be mailed, or handed to her.  These are all momentos of a time when sentiment mattered, when people took the time to shop and mill over several cards to pick the right one for the right person, knowing it will make them happy.  We have lost that personal touch; we have lost that sentimental feeling.   Yes, it takes planning, it takes time; you  have to purchase a card at least 3 days ahead of time, address it, and stamp it.   What was once the norm has become an inconvenience.
If you don’t usually send cards, try it, make someone smile, send a card today.  It does not have to be someone's birthday; it could be a "thinking about you" card, and "Miss you card" or a "Thank you" card.  I promise you, it will brighten their day.
Today, I will look forward to this ritual, and her smile. My mother has taught me so much, but this is a lesson I will live with forever, Happy Birthday Mom!