COMMUNICATION
Top Three Reasons I Love Birthday Cards
Our time-crunched century actually requires technology for business and much of our personal lives. The ease of sending bursts of text or messaging on social media has devalued the reasons for personal, heartfelt writing to just the one person privately and specifically for a birthday. Technology is faster than even the purpose of a cell phone: making a phone call. With calendar reminders and other scheduling apps that you can punch on your phone, nothing is simpler than remembering that special day. And who wouldn’t be happy with well wishes no matter how they show up, right?
It’s the Thought That Counts
Now that sending greetings through a tech platform has become effortless it is commonplace. It is a task that takes no forethought, no effort, not even knowing what the machine is doing for you. If the old adage, “It’s the thought that counts,” is true, how much love and care is packaged in a message sent by an app?
On my special day this year, I received a handful of birthday cards in the real mail, plus a few text message greetings. Even though everyone who thought to send me well wishes is appreciated, can you guess which greetings made me feel warm and fuzzy inside? The posted ones. But why?
Top 3 Reasons
1. A mailed card shows me the person knew that my birthday was coming up; it was a special event on the horizon. Their gesture wasn’t last minute. They had to buy the card, write in it, address it, put a stamp on it, and mail it. That’s a lot of effort in this day and age.
2. Greeting cards reflect a friend’s personality. Did they send a funny card? An ornately decorated one? Or my favorite — a sappy card from someone I know hates sappy cards, but sends one anyway, because they know I love it. Greeting cards are personal for both the sender and receiver.
3. A paper card is a tangible object that speaks to the intangible: love. Who wouldn’t want a box of cards to spark memories of that beloved grandmother or grandfather who is no longer present? These boxes of memories are a physical timeline. It’s the story of your life.
This year I had two favorite cards: one from a childhood friend and one from a new friend. The childhood friend sent a sweet pastel-colored card with a birthday banner attached. My new friend sent me a card with the most beautiful, life affirming message I think I’ve ever received. Both are going into my keepsake box.
