In these modern times of instant e-cards, texts,facebook poking and the like, there is something rather reassuring in the arrival of a hand written card.
Contact from each of the above can be seen as a thoughtful gesture, but a card , to me , shrieks politeness and just that extra mile of effort
The above card was hand delivered a day or so ago. It was from a lady in the village, who had heard about Constance's death.
It was brief , polite and sweet, and more importantly, it was thoughtful...and it gave me more support and warm feelings than any platitude or comment.
Here's hoping that this little tradition does not disappear in the same way that letter writing and postcard sending seems to have done.
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This morning something odd happened when I was feeding the pigs....I know that at dawn I am not cooking on gas, so to speak....(in actual fact I look and feel like the Wreck of The Hesperus" until my first coffee at 8ish)...so I don't always pick up on nuances and small print.
However after I gave no 12 his banana, I was convinced that he actually murmured
"lovely"
when stood there chewing with his eyes closed in piggy rapture!
Am I going quietly nuts?
Quietly? :)
ReplyDeleteNice gesture with the card. Much as I love all things gadgety, e-cards just don't do it.
I so agree, John - about the letter writing, not you going nuts.
ReplyDeleteTo me a written card or letter says so much, shows the person has been thinking of you and has selected their words, notepaper, picture or greeting with thoughtfulness and care. You also have that card to keep as a tangible reminder of the kindness shown to you at the time of Constance's death.I still get a little emotional fizz when I get personal mail and when I'm feeling down one of the first things that I do is turn to my box of collected cards to remind me of how generous, supportive and kind people are at heart. x
Not going nuts at all. I've seen Babe, so I know pigs can talk.
ReplyDeleteWhy wouldn't he say lovely! My husbands old cat said "hello" quite plainly and only when someone entered the room. And my dog says "hurry" when I am making him his morning meal.
ReplyDeleteCards are to be cherished. Emails are to be deleted.
Cher knew the man who wrote 'Babe' - ask her if you were hearing things.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you heard him. I think 12 is a very nice, polite pig. Unlike a certain other pig who shall be nameless ...
ReplyDeleteA nice card is certainly a lovely gesture
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the card, it was a very kind, sweet gesture. I still love getting cards in th mail, and I still love sending them out.
ReplyDeleteYes you are going quietly nuts. You've heard of the expression - poacher turned gamekeeper - well weren't you once a psychiatric nurse? Besides - I can see that pot lamb in front of your telly. Not an ornament that anyone who was entirely sane would give house room to unless of course it also talks!
ReplyDeleteMaybe not SO quietly but we love you for it...what was that? Oh....my rocking chair says that getting a card in the mail is special. I agree. Time for my pills now.
ReplyDeleteLetter writing is quickly becoming a lost art.
ReplyDeletePigs are deemed to be very smart animals. He could have very well said, lovely.
If only people were as polite as your pig.
ReplyDeleteJane x
How nice to get a sympathy card!
ReplyDeleteNo. 12 probably did say lovely. He hears it from you all the time, I suppose. My Yoda Cat used to go to the fridge and say "milk", with the "L" sound.
You're not going nuts - not certifiable anyway. :-)
I love getting cards, but that seems to be a fading tradition. It's rare that we get Christmas cards- we get ecards instead. Gag.
ReplyDeleteI'm fairly sure our resident groundhog is murmuring "carbs" in ecstasy..I'm sure No12 is communicating his banana love, too.
The boxer we had before Kota. He was a total mommas boy. He could say the word Momma in a gnarled doggy voice and he knew exactly who Momma was!
ReplyDeleteIt's probably the beginning of the sequel to 'Animal Farm'......Wales' version!
ReplyDeleteProbably nothing at all John.......
I was going to say something about you having been a psychiatric nurse and recognizing signs [not 'Signs' as in wheat fields visited from afar] but YP beat me to it.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you would have a fair number of cards in your hand if your readers here had your address -they all seem to be the type who would reach out to you. You've got a classy group here. We'd probably all visit you as well when the madness has completely taken over. "lovely"?
Going??? ;) I feel the same way about hand written cards and letters John...it's always a wonderful surprise to receive one in the mail.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I actually wrote a letter...I think I may just have to do that very soon. Thanks for the wake up call! I hope your day is a good one...oh just thought you'd like to know that today is our 51st or 52nd day of triple digit temperatures here in Kansas...it will be 105F or 40C today and tomorrow. Come on Fall!!!
Maura :) X
I followed Delores' suggestion and found a delightful blog. I don't "get" e-cards. Why bother? All that work to look one up. Why not just email and say "hi." At least it's personal.
ReplyDeleteOn pigs.... I like pigs. Haven't known any in years but I grew up with a few and they were always fun and I believe a few even talked to me, too. :)
Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck
If you heard her, I am sure it happened. A little advice though, don't tell this story at work.
ReplyDeleteWhen my friends were sick, I made a point of sending a funny card along with a one or two sentence note each week till they were better. Later on, they all told me how much this meant to them. Small gestures can make a difference in people's lives.
How lovely and yes, thoughtful of the lady to give you a "real" card. I still love letters by snail mail and even send them from this remote valley in Kenya. On the no 12 response: I'm sure he said "Lovely." I had a dog who said Hello when I arrived home from work and every morning one of my cats (the Sudanese one) stands on my chest while I'm still asleep and says: Aaah neouw, I'm hungry (seriously - I should record him and post about it, but it's quite annoying to be pestered so early!) Hope you have a good day, John. Greetings Jo
ReplyDeleteDr. Dolittle, I presume. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat card is really nice, John.
ReplyDeleteNot quietly John...quite loudly, so it seems.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt about it. Your pig was making polite small talk with you. He probably talks to you all the time, but today, you just happened to be listening.
ReplyDeleteAgree 100% about the card. I'm an unrepentant card-sender. Written out in fountain pen, no less. (My friends think I'm "quaint.")
Oh, I want to hear more about the talking pig.
ReplyDeleteWhat did you say when he said, "lovely?"
Did you discuss the weather?
Did you ask if he likes his bacon crisp or fatty?
And what was his favourite part in Babe?
You could do an entire blog on a talking pig and I would follow it. I would!
I love receiving them and I love sending them. I hate e-cards.
ReplyDeleteAs long as you do it quietly....carry on.
Hugs, Deb=^..^=x4
Lovely card. I, too like sending cards as well as receiving them. I was quite pleased to get a few birthday cards in the mail :0)
ReplyDeleteAs for no 12 talking, i've no doubt he wanted you to know he appreciated the banana.
megan
Lovely. No, I bet #12 did say that. I could swear Baby and Hootie say words to me at times. Of course I'm all alone, so no one to confirm this. x
ReplyDelete