wrapping it up

charles m. schulz – peanuts cartoon

the holiday cards are starting to come in. every time i open one, i have this gnawing feeling that i haven’t sent mine yet, and time is running out. it’s another activity that contributes to the holiday stress.

actually, i thought of doing away with the tradition of sending cards this year. it occurred to me when i was cleaning house this weekend.

as a pack rat, i’d kept some things thinking i might need them someday. of course, that someday never comes. and there are others that i’d saved for sentimental reasons. these included cards that i’d received from past christmases.

exchanging cards reconnects us with our long-distance families and friends. in a way, every card that we send/receive validates our existence on this planet. it reminds us of the places we have been and the ties that we have established.

rereading the cards brought back memories of people whom i had/have mattered. what can be a greater honor than to realize that you matter to other people? that must be the reason i saved them.

i think part of getting old is learning to let go. you become a minimalist. it means trying to live with only the things that are necessary. in my travels i’ve learned it pays to pack light and not to carry extra baggage.

and so i’ve started getting rid of stuff that used to define my life and have become irrelevant. they are either shredded or tossed in the recycle bins, given away, and donated to different charities. as a result, i can breathe much easier now and have more room to grow.

this brings me back to the old christmas cards. what did i do with them? and while we’re at it, how about other personal items like old family pictures and letters?

sad to say, they had to go, too, but not the sentiments that they embodied. they will remain with me for as long as i live. i did scan the pictures for posterity.

and so instead of the usual card, i’m extending my greetings this year either by calling or writing a personal note that can be disposed of without feeling of guilt once read.

i wish everyone the best that the holidays can bring and hope that the coming year will bring simplicity to your life and more occasions to smile.

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