The gift of a card

Dearest Reader,

A few years back, my aunt was getting ready for a big move and invited all the cousins over to sift through some of our Nan’s mementos. It was an amazing day spent browsing through old photos of our grandparents as teens, newlyweds, and young parents.

Each picture came with a story from my aunt; whether it was a tale handed down to her or her recollection from when the photo was captured. Her storytelling turned every photo into a significant memory in our family history, enriching our lineage with more than just names, but also with laughter, triumph, heartache, and, of course, love.

Among the stack of photos was an overly large, absurdly glossy 980’s style Christmas card with a generic holiday greeting printed inside. My aunt laughed when she saw it and explained that one year, all Nan had wanted for Christmas was for Papa to get her a card. My grandparents were hard-working, country folk who often found themselves short on both time and money, but this was a wish my Papa could absolutely grant; and so, he did.

About 40 years later, sitting on my aunt’s bedroom floor, I opened the card and saw that there, quietly scrawled under the pre-printed Christmas greeting was my grandfather’s name, inked in blue pen. There was no personal address to my grandmother, no additional, flowery words of love; simply his name imprinted on a wish fulfilled. And she kept it- carefully preserved for decades in her hope chest filled with her most cherished earthy possessions.

The day at my aunt's, where we visited a history that isn't ours by experience, but is undeniably a part of us, is a day I think of regularly and with affection. It also serves as a reminder that the best wishes are simple and pure, that the strongest love is quiet and subtle and of course; the powerful gift a simple card can make.

I took a photo of the card and Papa’s name, which I keep on my phone (the modern-day hope chest).  While I share the memory of discovering the card, the actual card itself; I can’t bring myself to share with the world. I do hope you’ll understand.

Instead, I’ll share a card I made, which was inspired by a photo from Nan's hope chest of her and her friends enjoying a much-deserved day off at a lake.

Happy Sunday!

Sincerely,

Shannon

True Love Greeting Card Inspired by Nan!