All the Best

Inspired by lessons learned this past summer re: the power of  blue painter's tape - it bonds to a surface but removes easily, without damage - am able to display every Christmas card in our extensive collection.  Not just cards to each other, but ones from our much-missed Moms, from especially dear friends, special cards from anyone, cards that seized our hearts & didn't let go and ones that made us laugh.  

LOTS of cards.

Among them are cards from my sister & oldest brother, neither of whom have a very high tolerance level for me these days.  Per my older sis, most of the good times I remember, all the seriously great moments of deep camaraderie, are merely figments of a hopelessly Pollyanna mind.  

All anyone needs to see to KNOW those good times happened, that sense of fun connection was real (at least at one time) are a few of the cards they sent over the years.  Okay, so maybe they might say they were just being nice, in the Christmas spirit, but I don't think the cards support that logic.

Consider the series of cards Mim sent - long before John - from the different trees near where she lived & worked ~ ~ the tree at Princeton's Palmer Square, the one at Rockefeller Center, the one at J & J's HQ in New Brunswick.  

Little cards with a lot of heart & loving connection.  

See, it was real.  Maybe not to her, but to me.  And this Christmas season, seeing that Christmas heart every day, I remember the joy & deep sisterly love.

Consider the hilarious series of cards Peter sent over fairly recent years, after Mom was reunited with her O Best Beloved.  Cards from our cats.  Cards from our cats with wonderful whimsical messages from them.  Tender, loving, beyond special.  

My absolute favorite (until I come across another - they keep popping up) is atop the window sash in the kitchen, within easy reach so I can take it down whenever I want to reread it, smile, chortle.  

When Peter put his heart into it, he was the best brother in the entire universe.  It wasn't consistent & his Golden Age of being brotherly to me didn't last long, but the point is - brought home in each card from Chessie & Amory or Chessie, Gryf, Rennie & Maxie  - is it  HAPPENED.

What magic this particular Christmas season keeps bringing into our lives.  Rich memories that sing out about special times with unforgettable people, reassurance (not that I needed it, but sure does feel cozy) that the times I remember & cherish happened.  

Some people grieve over things that, once present in their lives, have retreated away.  This Christmastime, more than any I can recall, am reminded of the words of the way-past whimsical Theodore Giesel - Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.  

At this holy Christmas season - and throughout the years to come - I send all my brothers & sister wishes for what they so often gave me ~ ~ all the best.  .