Happy Birthday to me. A time for reflection, and as luck would have it, I DO have time for reflection. So I'm reflecting. On another year gone by, family, friendships old and new, hearth and home, the world, the news. It would be easy to feel depressed, but I remain (a) philosophical and (b) upbeat. I'm relentlessly upbeat, me. Even in the face of having to spend my birthday in the office, and not receiving any birthday cards from my closest family. Again.
Nikki excepted, of course. Her card is perfect. It is undoubtedly the best birthday card I've ever had. Concisely expressing the most moving and touching of sentiments without being cloying, trite or juvenile. A grown-up card from one grown-up to another (we like to pretend). So thank you for that, my darling; it made my day.
Maybe I'm being needlessly old-fashioned. Maybe the tradition of sending cards is being gradually eroded, from both ends of the generational spectrum. From the aged P who can no longer get out to the shops, to the younger generation who have never been used to sending, or taught by example to send, cards. Instead they are supplanted with phone calls, email messages and scribbled notes on Facebook. But although that may be just dandy for geographically dispersed friends and acquaintances, somehow it just isn't the same when it comes to family. You can't beat the excitement of the plop on the mat, the attempt to guess who it's from by analysing the handwriting, slicing open the brightly coloured envelope and slipping out the contents to read the heartfelt message within.
Still, a happy smiley email is better than nothing I suppose. Anything is better than nothing.
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5 comments:
Cards have always been important in our family, even more than pressies because you could always afford a card, even if you had to make one, when you were really broke. Birthdays, and Mother's/Father's day being the important occasions. The younger generation tends to be less than prompt with the cards though my neice is pretty good and one of my nephews as well. THey're so immersed in the electronic world that they just don't see it the same way we do.
Well if you'd rather I sent you a card thats fine =)
I think to the younger generation, it doesn't matter how you say it, just as long as you show courtesy enough to say it.
To us ... idk, I personally wouldn't ever send an e-card because I think they're tacky. But a card and a birthday message on Facebook to the younger generation, I think it has the same value, y'know? Because instead of sending proper mail, we all send e-mails.
Do you see the equalness of that =S I hope I gave you a bit more insight into it.
Teev: you had me nodding and shaking my head all at once. I feel dizzy now.
Blythe: Yeah. S'OK. The message is more important than the medium :o)
John: My birthdays are not important to me. Maybe they once were, but I don't feel that way now.
However, being the kind of person who doesn't ever remember birthdays,
A Very Happy Belated Birthday from me.
All the best, my friend. I hope we can see each other face to face in the near future. There may just be a good English ale involved!
Myself and Lou are always delighted that we get cards from you and Nikki. And how do we repay? By not sending either of you one. It's rubbish and inexcusable. I'm sorry.
The only excuse I can muster is that I've lost your real-world address. So the inexcusable still stands as I've had plenty of opportunity to get it.
I hope, therefore, you accept a blog comment that finishes with:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
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