greeting cards.

In the era of e-mail, instant messaging, cell phones and Twitter, many have remarked that we're losing the art and affection of handwritten letters. Somehow a quick e-mail banged out in 12 point Arial just doesn't hold the same weight as a carefully chosen greeting card, engraved with flawed handwriting and marked with an autograph at the end (bonus points if it's barely legible.)

Since I was in high school, I have saved every single greeting card that has been given to me. I think that there is just something so intensely personal and thoughtful about sending a real greeting card these days, that I just can't throw them away.

Instead. I file them.

This evening as I was cleaning out my files, I noticed that the section I have dedicated to the cards was bulging. A few swollen, misshapen files have lost all purpose under the tremendous weight of my collection. I decided to go through and remove all the envelopes, in an attempt to cut down on the clutter.

Two hours later. I had re-read every card.

In these moments I relieved birthdays -- seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty and twenty-one -- I relieved past moments of glory, illnesses, gifts given, party's attended, milestones achieved.

I read through my Dad's long, thoughtful notes, like when I turned 18:
"Whew! College beginnings, 18th Birthday and all the wonder, promise and excitement of a new chapter in your life ... The next 4 years will change you in ways that you expect and don't expect (but are good)." He also includes his advice in three parts 1) Be safe, take care of yourself 2) Study hard 3) Have fun.

A Valentine from my stand-in parents while I finished high school, Val and George Padgett:
"Olivia, Happy Valentine's Day! It's so nice to have you still close by. Love, Val & George."

My Mother's short and sweet notes which are always on the world's funniest cards, like when I was getting ready to go to college:
"Learn a lot about life, love and what you study! Have fun! I love you! Mom"

A note from a favorite professor after I was chosen as Editor-in-Chief of the paper:
"This is a lifelong commitment, not just a 1-year gig ... establish a high expectation of quality from the start; don't put up with slackers or gripers -- dump them ... Believe in the struggle! Janna"

Or from a roommate, who was just a few months younger than me when I turned 21:
"I hope your 21st is the best year ever! Now you can buy me alcohol too. :) Love you! Stef"

From my little brother who didn't bother to write anything in the card, not even sign it:
Card reads: It's your birthday! Maybe this will finally be the year that mom and dad start loving you as much as me. Enjoy your day. (Thanks, Zach.)

From Fritz, my Mother's boyfriend, who has my favorite all caps handwriting:
Card reads: You're 21! One day you'll look back on this birthday and not remember a damn thing! Handwritten: ... AND THAT DAY WILL BE SEPT. 4! CONGRATULATIONS YOU FINALLY MADE IT! Fritz & Aimee"

But, of all the cards there is one that continually sticks out as my favorite card of all time. It was given to me just days after I was born by my godfather, Jim. Though I haven't spoken with him in years, I always keep the words he wrote to me over 21 years ago close by:

This is a long one, but I just can't pull an exceprt from it and let you sample the letter. I feel it's something that has to be taken in full.

Card reads:
Dear God
be good to me
the sea is so wide
and my boat is
so small

Handwritten:
Dear Olivia,
This card has been with me since 1970, hanging in a frame on one wall and then another and then about and so on, until tonight, when I took it down to send to you.

This card means a lot to me, which makes it a worthy gift. Your mother and father have been in the same room with this card many times. Long before you were, or were even dreamed of, your mom and dad -- conscious or not (I'll leave it to them to explain "consciousnesses" to you) have blessed this card with their presence. And it is "your presence" that I celebrate by sending it.

Welcome to this planet - this lovely place, so full of all that is wonderful and wholesome and good. It is not exactly the world I would have chosen to welcome you to (and even more than me, I know that your mom and dad are committed to this world being better for you as you grow up). And this is the only world I have to welcome you to.

So WELKOMMEN -- be happy here, find the beauty and wonder and awe. Welcome, small one, to a planet large enough to dream and hope and love in. And a planet so in need of dreams and hopes and love, most of all, love.

You are a precious thing - just by being alive, you are precious. And I give thanks to a God you might some day meet face-to-face for you!

May the sea be what it will be -- wide, fierce and deep -- and may your boat, small as it is, bear you to wonderous lands and great adventures.

Benn and Josh and Mimi - who I love - wish you, with me, a pleasant voyage.

Shalom
Jim


Thanks for the lovely words, Jim. My voyage is going just grand.