Sending Smiles by Snail Mail

When I was a kid, I used to get birthday cards in the mail from my faraway relatives. I remember the excitement I felt as my birthday approached because my mom’s sisters, in particular, were so consistent at sending me birthday cards. (Some of them still send me a card on my birthday!)

Over the years, and especially with the advent of the internet and immediate communications, the idea of sending birthday cards began to fall by the wayside. A few of my family members were undaunted by the changing climate around cards and continued to send them, but, for the most part, people stopped sending cards. (Or maybe they just stopped sending them to me?!? LOL.)

For a time, I also curtailed my card sending. It seemed like a chore to remember not only birthdays, but also Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and whatever other holiday was currently being pushed by Hallmark. And don’t even get me started on Christmas cards… some years my list was so extensive that I had to literally schedule time to address them and write a brief note (if I even had the energy for that).

For many years, I was satisfied with the decreased frequency with which I both sent and received cards, if only because it did seem passe at some point. But, like many things in life, the sending of cards came full circle for me.

When I moved 1500 miles away from my family and friends and couldn’t see them regularly, my heart ached for my loved ones. I enjoyed my new home in Austin, Texas, but the physical distance between us was daunting. Besides phone calls, how could I let them know that I was thinking of them?

I don’t exactly remember how it began, but eventually I decided to refresh my card-sending routine. I made an effort to remember birthdays, at least, and I began sending a few Christmas cards.

I can’t say whether the recipient of these cards found them to be delightful or dreadful, but within my own happiness context, it didn’t matter. What I discovered was that sending cards was a way for me to schedule a time to think about those who are important to me and to feel the love that I carried around for them but didn’t express often enough.

While I don’t have time, energy, and funds to send cards to everyone who is important to me, for the few that I do send, it gives me an opportunity to focus on that person for just a moment.

I like to address my cards by hand and, if I have the energy, to write a personal note inside. I enjoy choosing a colorful pen that matches the card and vibrantly-colored envelopes bring me lots of joy! :)

But the most important ritual that I’ve started when I write cards is to take a moment to let my heart feel love for the card recipient. What do I love about the person? What memories or moments fill my heart with joy? These happy thoughts bring me joy before I even drop the card in the mailbox.

Last, but never least, I say a prayer for my friend or loved one. I pray for them to be joyful on the occasion, that they might feel my and God’s love, and that they may find healing for whatever ails them.

The simple act of sending a card can be so much more than just sticking a stamp on a pre-addressed envelope. It can be an opportunity for extending love beyond ourselves and for using our (hopefully now well-developed) skill of finding gratitude for our loved one. It need not be ritualistic, even if you choose to make it a ritual.

Open your heart when you write and send a card and, undoubtedly, your loved one will receive your love when they open that envelope.