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November 28, 2003
Annual Christmas Card Inscriptions
I have been a very good person today! I have actually got down to work, stopped putting it off and wrapped and parcelled the present for the family in Oz and written all the cards for my overseas friends. Then I posted them.
Now I need to recover from the cost of the postage!
Why do I do it? Primarily because I feel it is important to say to all my friends and family at this time of the year, that I am thinking of them, that, even though we may not have seen each other for years, they are still important to me. OK, so I get a few cards back from them too, but that is part of the exchange process, it is what keeps us all in touch. It is also an opportunity to say thanks for the friendship and to celebrate something we all believe in.
I guess this urge to get on with it comes from all the stuff on the news and many blogs about Thanksgiving.
I have been following with interest and amusement some of the posts from the American bloggers on the subject of getting the family (and in some cases friends) together for Thanksgiving. Again, you could wonder why they do it. Cynicalcyn is a good case in point, with her tale of preparations which sound like a monumental task. For others such as Bear Left on Unnamed Road, it is more difficult getting all the family around the same table. The big question which sprang to mind for me at least, was why do it this close to Christmas? I guess the best explanation I can find is on Lynn S's page, others may find her comments helpful.
I hope that all the work that went into the Thanksgiving meals and which is still ahead for the Christmas celebrations, is appreciated by those who simply get to enjoy the product. Let's also spare a thought for all those who cannot be with friends and family at these feasts, because they are out there keeping the emergency and other services running.
Peace be with you all.
Posted by The Gray Monk at November 28, 2003 06:08 PM
Comments
Lynn is right on with her comments. Thanksgiving is the one day that is just about getting together with family or good friends or a combination of both, no gifts, nothing major going on, you don't even need to feel guilty about not going to church. And yes, the same conversations, the same stories shared with new ones added. It is a lot of work and preparation, but truth be told, I probably would not have it any other way. Yesterday was a bonus day - temps were in the 60's, the sun was shining and the very past part?? We had two little boys, my "great-nephews" joining us for the first time, one is 5, the other 2 and they made the day extra special. What fun!!
Posted by: cyn at November 29, 2003 04:39 AM
I like the concept of a day for a family get together to celebrate and appreciate. This wet and currently windy isle could probably do with something like this as well - who knows, it might rekindle an appreciation of what families really are. Glad you had a great day.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at November 30, 2003 12:09 AM
Americans married to scots living in scotland do try and celibrate thanksgiving over there. We have found the that the idea of getting the family together and just giving thanks for everyone share our lives is well recieved. To bad it's not a UK holiday it would be nice to have that thursday off.
Posted by: Matthew at November 30, 2003 05:13 PM
Apart from the general reluctance of the government and employers to allow any more Bank holidays here, the family is now so passe'! It would have to be something to celebrate something which cannot be construed as "imposing our cultural values". I still like the concept.
Posted by: The Gray Monk at December 1, 2003 01:24 AM
HI again! A couple of questions (off-topic) -- where in the world does The Gray Monk reside? And
where in the world is your email address (she asks) - and how about an 'about' page?? :-)
Posted by: Cindy at December 4, 2003 07:07 PM