I recently visited a friend whom I had not seen in a long time. With a little one and pregnant, I don't travel as much as I used to. The trip felt hurried and overly busy with all my commitments. Both the mini and I were sick and inevitably we were kind enough to share with our hosts. When it was time to leave, we were rushed by time, exhaustion and kid logistics. I spent some time on the plane thinking about all the things I didn't tell her. As mom's, we are all hurried, in "survival" mode and usually feeling a mix between exhaustion/frustration/confusion but mostly in desperate need of kind words from the heart. We would love to say our husbands fill that void all the time but the reality is when these types of words and feelings come from our girlfriends...fellow mom warriors...they can fill our souls to fight another day.
When I got back I dutifully got my box of notecards out to pen a thank you card to my lovely hosts. I noted how great it was to see her and her family, we had a good time, etc...I also noted that I wished we had a chance at some quiet time together. Maybe then my mind would have cleared to give her the compliments I thought only in my head. This is the season of our lives. Young kids, hurried schedules, and overbooked days. Only then did it occur to me to send out a couple other quick notes. For me, there is nothing cooler than opening the mail box and finding something for me from someone I love. The general goods in the box are magazines, credit card ads and bills...bummer. However, when I run across a card, thank you note or an invite my little heart does a dance. So the same day I sent my thank you note, I sent two other cards out. I filled them with thank you's, I love you's and miss you's. It felt nice.
In the evenings I scroll through FaceBook or Instagram and I feel "connected". Sadly, by "liking" someones status I check the box..."Oh look, I saw your cool event and was happy for you". Ok yeah, that is NOT connecting. I wonder why at times I am left feeling empty, left out or jealous. Well it's because, I haven't actually talked to 95% of those people on the phone, met for coffee or saw in person, potentially, in years. Those social media sights leave room for judgement, the media savvy of a politician to position your life to look picture perfect and sadly the junior high feeling of "why wasn't I invited to that?!" Don't get me wrong, they do indeed keep us "connected". I wanted more. So, I've committed to a letter writing campaign. Sending out quick notes to people IN THE MAIL. Not a Face Book message or comment on a picture.
I have cards from friends and family that go back YEARS. My aunt gave me a card probably 15 years ago; after that we were estranged for many years, but I held onto that card. Every once and a while I would run across it while cleaning and read it. It made me smile every time despite the circumstance. The written word holds weight. It can hold hope, love, or memories.
I encourage you to try this campaign....hey, maybe we can save the USPS! I bet if you sat down you could think of someone who could use a little love in the mail today. A little surprise to make their heart dance. Maybe they will save it for years. Maybe it will be the kind words that make their day. In the end, it really makes YOUR heart do a little dance because you know in a few days they will open their mail box expecting the same old stuff and see a handwritten note from you. Yea!
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