Dear Friends and Family,

I did not take the time this year to write each and every one of you a note on a lovely Christmas card. Perhaps I didn’t even send you a card. But that does not mean my feelings for you have diminished…only that my budget and time management have changed. I still think of you often. I still pray for you. I still fondly remember how we met and why our relationship has meaning.

I was thinking yesterday about two elderly people that I’ve known most of my life. BTW- I reserve the term “elderly” for someone over 85. I haven’t seen one woman in about a year, the other in about six months. Each was once a part of the circle of people I saw on a regular basis through mutual interests. Their ages and health conditions have since changed and they no longer get out much. I miss them both, but the reality is that I have neither the time nor the inclination to pay them a visit.  I don’t think that makes me a bad person, just a typical one. I remember my grandmother’s group of frequent visitors getting smaller and smaller as she got older, especially after she quit driving and attending group activities.

I ran into a former colleague yesterday. I haven’t seen her, except on FB, since she left work. But I could have talked with her all day. I still feel a fond connection to her. I still care about her and about her children. I still want to know what is going on in her life. I feel the same about several people with whom I previously shared a workplace. One of them sent me a card yesterday. We haven’t physically seen each other in over twenty years, but I was thrilled to hear from her and to see the family photo she sent!

Geographic distance is not the deciding factor in whether or not a relationship is maintained. I have friends in many other states, but we manage to converse by mail, phone, email, FB, and once in a while in person. I have local friends and even family members that I seldom see, simply because we lead very different lives. We have different schedules, responsibilities, and activities. But one event or tradition brings us together from time to time to renew our relationship. My cousins are a prime example of this. I love them- we are joined by blood and memories- but we do not see each other often unless there is a reunion or funeral.

A friend recently commented that she limits her friendships on FB because she doesn’t have the time to “like” and comment on the lives of too many others and she doesn’t like to wade through all of the trivial stuff that some people post. I agree that some of the things that appear on the site- ads and posters and games and such- get to be just so much “clutter” at times, but sometimes a status comment or an inspiring poster is just what I need for the day. I would never limit my list of friends for fear of getting too involved with FB. I simply try to use my time wisely- check for prayer requests, note important events, share what I want to share and move on.

So…rest assured that whenever and however we met, either physically or virtually, I am thinking of you and wishing you well during this traditional time of greeting. And I hope that you have a healthy and happy time renewing relationships with your own circle of friends and family members.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Comments

[Megan]

Merry Christmas to you and Uncle Gary.