SoCS September 25

Linda is our ever-creative host for SoCS. Today she provides a choice of one word or two, whichever floats our boat.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “near/far.” Use “near,” use “far,” use them both if you’d like. In fact, if you start your post with one and end with the other, you get bonus points! Enjoy!

I find it interesting how many memories from near and far away are being connected in my brain. When writing a blog post recently, I remembered that my 6^th grade teacher had my class make cards for me. The far away memory still makes me feel good. How is it possible that such a simple act of kindness meant so much to me? Why do I still hold it as a fond memory?

Mr. B was required to teach an art lesson once a week. It was not his strength, but he tried to introduce styles of art to squirrely 6^th graders. I never felt that art was a strength of mine. I enjoyed the process though. For three months I received a weekly bag of handmade cards from my classmates. I read each and every one. I knew the kids had no choice about making the cards, because it was an assignment, but I still felt special.  

While writing the blog post about my chosen career field, I connected a few dots that I never knew existed. Receiving cards that were made for me, brought me joy. Growing up I made simple cards, like most kids. But to me they meant caring. I also loved to buy cards of all sorts.   Making cards is a project still near and dear to my heart.

Years ago, another teacher friend, that also collected cards, and I decided to send out two cards every Monday. We did it for most of the year. It made me happy. Random cards for non-birthday reasons, were fun to send out. I remember having students write cards for the office workers in appreciation. I oversaw the social committee at school for a few years. The task I had was to send out cards to anyone on staff with a birthday, new baby, or wedding. It was considered a committee position, but for me it was a joyful job.

Having my scrapbooking room means I have tons of supplies for card making. One year, I made a set of twelve Christmas cards for each of my teacher friends, office staff, and family members. Hanukkah was early that year, so it made for a great gift. It was easy to tell who appreciated the time involved in my gift.

One year I gave numerous writing friends and loved ones, a collection of stamped cards for them to send out. They were mostly cards from my collection. It felt good to send off a gift that brought me joy. They say that giving something you would like to receive is a good idea. I was given a few in return with sweet messages, that made me happy.

Lately I have been making cards for my family using old photos. I made one for my grandson at his graduation. I made one for my granddaughter for her birthday. I am making one for my daughter for her birthday too. Combining my joy of making cards, with my thrill of looking at old photos has been a wonderful task. 

I am grateful for the far away memory that  still makes me happy. I am grateful that I figured out why cards are so important to me. I might need to start sending no reason cards again.