In the Throes of Thursday-Notes
Notes, those lovely words you read and tuck away with the cards you can't bear to part with. I've got tons of them and I love to take them out and re-read them. They're a kind of a journal that let's me remember the times I've shared with others or the gifts I've given and the pleasure of that exchange--a gift, a note, a bond between people.
I wrote that in response to this blog called Out On A Limb. Please stop over there for a visit. She has some wonderful posts. I loved what she had to say about the courtesy of writing notes, and I'd like to
expand on that a little.
I've always given gifts to the children in our family: birthdays, Christmas, graduation whatever. Some have always sent cards to say thanks and include a little appreciation for the gift. Some haven't. In fact, I often didn't know if the gift had ever been received. Once or twice I asked and got, "Oh yeah. We got it. It was really nice."
"Really?" I said to that space behind my eyeballs. "That would have been nice to know."
I thought maybe I was being grumpy or out of step with how things work now, but I don't think so. I think there's something in common courtesy that cuts across generations and should be respected. Not only does a short note--or even a phone call--let the giver know the gift is safely in the person's hands, but it also establishes communication. Without that is there a family? Are there friends? I hasten to add that all of my friends send notes. 100% of them. And, fortunately, it's just a few members of my family that seem to think it's not important.
After I started thinking about this topic (Thank you, Out On A Limb.) I decided that while courtesy and communication are two important parts to thank you notes, recalling memories is another. When I read some of the notes my grandmother sent or my mom, I can return to that moment when I gave them something and they enjoyed it. Their words bring a bit of them and that other time back to me.
Are notes a part of your family/friend tradition? How do you feel about writing them or receiving them?
Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
I wrote that in response to this blog called Out On A Limb. Please stop over there for a visit. She has some wonderful posts. I loved what she had to say about the courtesy of writing notes, and I'd like toexpand on that a little.
I've always given gifts to the children in our family: birthdays, Christmas, graduation whatever. Some have always sent cards to say thanks and include a little appreciation for the gift. Some haven't. In fact, I often didn't know if the gift had ever been received. Once or twice I asked and got, "Oh yeah. We got it. It was really nice."
"Really?" I said to that space behind my eyeballs. "That would have been nice to know."
I thought maybe I was being grumpy or out of step with how things work now, but I don't think so. I think there's something in common courtesy that cuts across generations and should be respected. Not only does a short note--or even a phone call--let the giver know the gift is safely in the person's hands, but it also establishes communication. Without that is there a family? Are there friends? I hasten to add that all of my friends send notes. 100% of them. And, fortunately, it's just a few members of my family that seem to think it's not important.
After I started thinking about this topic (Thank you, Out On A Limb.) I decided that while courtesy and communication are two important parts to thank you notes, recalling memories is another. When I read some of the notes my grandmother sent or my mom, I can return to that moment when I gave them something and they enjoyed it. Their words bring a bit of them and that other time back to me.
Are notes a part of your family/friend tradition? How do you feel about writing them or receiving them?
Sliding on the Edge, C. Lee McKenzie, WestSide Books, Spring '09
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