Christmas
carols, Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, Christmas cards, Christmas trees,
Christmas cards…
Many
years ago I discovered my stress level increased incrementally a day or so
after Thanksgiving and didn’t subside until our Christmas cards were all
signed, addressed, stamped AND included a personal note.
I
know, I brought it all on myself. But having attended 3 colleges, taught school
in two widely separated states, married and moved half a continent away from my
family, I wanted to stay in contact with the many friends who had
marched across my life in a meaningful manner.
That
particular Christmas I realized my Christmas Spirit had fled and something really nasty had replaced it. That was when I gratefully latched on to a friend’s chance (??) remark. Why not send
my annual letters in Easter cards? I decided that would be my last frantic
Yuletide as far as Christmas cards were concerned. The next Easter I sent cards to
all those on my list with a short note about my future plans concerning
Christmas cards.
The
next Christmas the freedom was amazing. I must admit I felt just a bit guilty
as the Christmas cards came to us. But when I realized the “Christmas Grinch”
had disappeared from our household, the guilty feelings vanished.
The
following Easter was a unique experience because there was ample time to review
the past year for the benefit of far-away friends. Succeeding Easters have
evolved into special times of reminiscence as I re-read their Christmas letters
and notes from the past year. It seems doubly appropriate to renew old ties as the Earth witnesses
the rebirth of Nature’s life cycle and Christendom celebrates the resurrection of
Jesus Christ and the new life He offers.
Through
the years I have seen annual letters arrive as Valentines, New Year’s letters,
4th of July letters and Thanksgiving letters, but I don’t remember
any Easter annual letters (although we have received Easter cards in return—remember
that guilt reflex I mentioned earlier).
Maybe
the idea has never caught on because Easter cards don’t go on sale!
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