Linda and Christmas Cards– and the Lack off–This is Your Christmas Letter:)

 

Gifts from my 1st Christmas according to my baby book I found this morning.

Another year has gone by and I haven’t sent out Christmas cards. A few years ago I mailed out good cheer and greetings to tons of mailboxes around the world. Since that last signed, sealed, and delivered card went out, it’s been downhill ever since. I have excellent intentions I swear. But, two years ago I lost a few address books, and now most of the communication with my friends is conducted online.  I am guessing Facebook is killing the Christmas card business along with other social media formats.

 

Linda age 7 and my late sister Robin and my mother Bernice Crittenden Knight (Bunny) at my Grandmother Knight’s house.

 

I didn’t know it then but my world was changing, and most of my friends have already seen the best of this year’s pictures and what is going on in my life on a daily basis. They also know what bothers me on any given day, and some days they even know what I ate for breakfast.

Is there any point now of writing a Christmas newsletter, when we have already posted these events on a daily form all year long? A few generations ago, the annual Christmas card mail-out was a great way to stay in touch with those near and dear and far away.  My guess is that sooner or later sending cards will stop all together because young people don’t feel the need due to social media.

 

 

Linda age 4 with my father Arthur J. Knight at the old Albert Street home in Cowansville. My mother was in the hospital.

 

When we used to receive cards there were photographs and shared news of what had transpired in the last 12 months. A decade ago, we mailed off over two billion Christmas cards, according to greeting card companies. But thanks to Facebook, FaceTime, Snapchat, and other digital modes, the number of paper cards delivered has dropped 40%. No wonder Hallmark and other greeting card companies are selling cards online!

Of course I feel extremely guilty not sending out cards as those days of friendly letters  and dealing with the postal system has ended for a lot of folks– and somehow that has included me.

 

 

Gary Wallet, my late sister Robin, Sheila Wallet and me at the Wallet’s. Any event at their home made me so happy.

 

The question is: do we know each other all too well now?  Has all the time logged into our laptops, iPads and iPhones taken us away from writing and mailing letters and cards?  It may be easier, but again, it’s not making me feel any better.

 

My favourite picture ever. Sad to think I am the last one left. Robin, Fred and Mary Knight my grandparents and my mother and father at my Grandparent’s home on South Street in Cowansville. I still have that picture on the back wall in my home.

 

I apologize to all for my lack of enthusiasm for cards– but whatever else be lost among the years, let us keep the festive season still a shining thing: Whatever doubts assail us, or what fears, let us hold close one day, remembering its poignant meaning for the hearts of men. Let us get back our childlike faith again.

(With apologies to Grace Noll Crowell for butchering that last sentence and making it my own:)

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Linda

Linda Knight Seccaspina, age 16, photographed at my Dad’s home on Miltimore Road in Bromont. There I was in that Dr. Zhivago coat that was supposed to be the end all to me getting a job. Like the manager of Bill Blass in Montreal said to me that year,

“Kid get yourself another coat if you want a job!”

My how things have changed.