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!
