Put a smile on someone’s face. Take the time to get in touch with them through this time honoured tradition.
ANN EDALL-ROBSON |
When was the last time you received a letter that came in an envelope with a stamp on it? When was the last time you wrote a letter or thank you card? No not an email, a text message or a business letter but an actual pen to paper correspondence you sent from the post office. A Dear Aunty, Grandma, Family or Friend production filled with news and anecdotes. Or a card that simply said you're thinking about the other person. Receiving this so called snail mail still puts a smile on the face of many. It tells them that the person took extra time and effort to send their news or say hello. Sometimes it is in the form of a several page letter and sometimes it is a note card. It may only be a few words saying they were thinking about the recipient or reminding them of a favourite memory that was shared. Regardless of the size or shape, it will usually garner a smile when the mail box is opened to find an envelope with a hand written address on it from someone who may be near or far away. The tradition of writing letters and notes needs to be resurrected. It's not only is a form of contact, but it is also a way for all generations to use the skills our education systems are ignoring. This so called old fashioned form of communication is fast becoming a lost art and talent. Put a smile on someone’s face. Take the time to get in touch with them through this time honoured tradition. Do you write letters the old fashioned way?
4 Comments
With anticipation, 2017 looms on the horizon. As the year of 2016 strolls towards its last hours, I sit writing the first Morning Muse of the New Year. Today, it’s cloudy, snowy, not too much wind, and much warmer than the earlier days of December. A time of the year when our brain feels the need to wind down only to realize we have promised ourselves to gear up and tackle the list of thoughts we think we must accomplish in the coming year.
The new year will arrive, and with it a new day . . . Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
Now it’s time to reminisce about the year I was nudged awake by my older brother. If memory serves me, it was sometime in the early morning hours when the wood stove that kept the house warm had started to cool down. Not too long before someone would be up to stoke it, and start the day. The stockings were investigated, cherished oranges eaten, and a bit of candy consumed. When the brain wave hit, how was I to know how much possible trouble we would be in. My brother is seven years older than me. He should’ve known. Right? “Let’s open all the presents for everyone and put them at the end of Mom & Dad’s bed.” He whispered. Sounded like a plan. After all, a five year old looks up to her big brother for guidance. The last parcels were unwrapped and quietly placed in the bedroom. We were leaving the room when Dad acknowledged we were there. “We’ll be up in a few minutes. Then you can open your gifts.” I didn’t know I should keep my mouth shut. For that matter, I guess it really didn’t matter. “We’ve opened them all. There right here. See. We thought it would save time.” My brother stood with his arm around my shoulder. “It was my idea.” He said quietly. She only helped when I asked her to. Always looking out for me, he was.
It was one tradition we didn’t keep, but it sure has had lots of miles and laughs in the re-telling. To all of our family, friends and far away neighbours, Merry Christmas. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life A lot of what we read tells us how we can become successful.
10 suggestions to get customers. 6 steps to sell your products. 8 examples to write a better letter. 3 options to post a top notch blog. All of these are made up by me. I’m just making a point. The truth is, each and every one of us is capable of getting any job done, and we have the ability to find the best way to do it. Focus on what’s important and take those almighty baby steps I have talked about before. All the numbers and How To’s in the world are not going to make success happen. Having said that, there is a single number that has the best chance for a favourable outcome in each path our lives take us. The number? It’s 1. The only reason, point, plan, suggestions that makes things in our lives occur is what we do as individuals to make it so. So, lets see if I can come up with some additional points. 1 way to find a smile. 1 way to keep that smile. 1 way to make the smile into a laugh. 1 way to laugh until you cry. OK, so the list is kind of cheesy. My point is, it’s up to YOU to find the system, plan, strategy to make anything work. No one else is responsible for your smile, your laugh, your tears, your life. You are that number. You are the ONE! What’s your #1 focus for success? Christmas and down time are hardly ever used in the same sentence. Especially when generations are intertwined. Visiting with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Family Friends is a perfect time to start (or continue) family history fact finding. Make a game out of it and get everyone involved. Several year ago, the teenagers in our home enjoyed (and expected) the tradition of a Christmas scavenger hunt. The event was always planned months in advance. It was fun for the kids, and allowed breakfast preparations to be finished while they were busy figuring out the next move of the hunt. On one particular year, scrapbooking had become the rage. The book given to each child was to be added to over the Christmas holiday as part of the planned treasure hunt. The theme for the treasure hunt, you guessed it, Family History. Each received a letter and print out of several questions they needed to find answers for. Some questions were easy. Some questions required talking to family members to get the answers. What better time to have them contacting friends and loved ones? The end result was their knowledge of their family history (both sides) had increased. They then took the answers and wrote them into the final page that was waiting to be inserted into their scrapbooks. Incorporating known genealogy information into the questions is a bonus. It allows those participating to delve deeper into already confirmed facts. Some of our fun facts included: Who was the member of the family involved with the North West Mounted Police (the good side of the law)? Who worked on the construction, and was offered passage on the Titanic (he declined)? Who was born in the Dakota Territory? Who received the Governor General’s Award for Bravery at the age of 15? This journey will have family members, young and old, taking the first steps of spending some quiet, memorable, quality moments together. What are some of your fun family facts? During the month of December 2016, download your FREE copy of How to Get to Know the Family, treasure hunt question sheets from the Digital Download aisle in our Shop. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life This word alone has the ability to affect everyone differently. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has no less than nine definitions and derivatives. Each covers a broad spectrum of our visual and emotional being. There are meanings that take us deep into our soul looking for answers to our life questions. Perhaps inspired by meditation or a time of peaceful solace. Reading old journals and letters. Seeing photographs. Reminders of thought provoking moments. Laughter and sadness. Others have us looking into a mirror to determine if the image there is a facade. Presenting the alter ego with queries and admonishments. Easily dismissed by turning away. The simple double image influenced by light. Leaving us with questions of where the shoreline begins and ends. Shadows blend in and out with the breeze. What does reflection mean to you? Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life Recent travel for a fun family event, the trip was made by air. Jotting thoughts. Taking pictures and enjoying the somewhat road rutted ride, (that is a nice way of describing turbulence), we reached our destination. A 90th Birthday was the highlight of our time away, but we managed a few mini road trips and were able to capture some interesting and beautiful fall life from another part of the country. Ann Edall-Robson
Author, Photographer, Lover of Life
I really dislike the two days of the year that set my internal clock in a turmoil. Why we have to change our clocks to facilitate the wants of others, is beyond me.
In the fall, I spend days, thinking about the issue when I wake up and the night sky is still casting an eery light through the window. The spring is no different. The body reacts in panic at the thought I have slept in. Yes, eventually, it becomes the norm and the mind set gets used to the change. On this day of ‘fall back’ I look out the window, my body clock telling me it’s one time, and the day before me will be full of chores and projects. Then my mind clock kicks in and I feel like I have been robbed of an hour of this precious time. “But, you get an extra hour of daylight at the end of the day.” My reaction to this comment. I prefer to have my time in the morning, it’s when I like to work on writing and other projects. The end of the day for me, is just that, the end of the day. I read a piece recently that made me smile. The temptation brought out the shy rebel that simmers deep within. In a nutshell, it suggested don’t change your clock like everyone else does. The result? You will be early or late for everything you do. In the end, the thought of being in a continual state of confusion was not pleasing to my mind. The shy rebel went back to sleep and the clocks, well, they get changed. Does your part of the world participate in Daylight Saving Time? What do you think of changing the clocks back and forward? How does this ‘tradition’ of adjusting your clock by an hour affect you? |
October 2023
The fine printSome links on our website may be affiliate links. This means if you follow the link, and take the steps to purchase or download the product, I will receive a small referral fee or commission.
I only recommend items I have tried &/or own. Thank you for considering your purchases and downloads through my website. Do you have something you would like included in one of our Morning Muse posts?
Contact us with your thoughts. Categories
All
Guest Contributors |