Friends are what it's all about...

December 31st!  Last day of 2013. I can hardly believe it - where did the year go? The days and weeks fly by waaay too quickly. Christmas is over for another year, I will likely take down the tree this afternoon, while watching the World Juniors hockey game- Canada vs. USA.  Currently, at end of first period, no score. (Edit, 2:50 p.m. Final score - Canada 3, US 2. Yay!!!)
It's always a bit of a letdown for me, when Christmas is over. You prepare and look forward to it for so long, the anticipation grows, and then in a flash, it's over. You pack it all away for another year, with mental notes to be more organized next year, stress less and enjoy more...
One of the things I enjoy most about the Christmas season is hearing from friends. I reach into the mailbox each day with anticipation of a card or two. Last year there was a noticeable drop in the number of cards and letters, and again this year, even fewer. More people are sending greetings by email, and I don't mind that a bit, as long as I hear from people, I don't care the method. But it saddens me to lose contact with friends. I send about 55 cards and letters- about half by mail and the rest by email. I received about 30 this year. Those who I am in fairly regular contact with during the year, I don't mind not hearing from at Christmas, but those who I only hear from at Christmas - I miss the contact with their news. I know people are busy and yes, I know, other things become a priority. But it still makes me sad to lose touch with people. Our postal rates are going up to $1.00 per card/letter very shortly, so I can only imagine what that will do to the flow of Christmas cards next year. I expect many folks will drop the tradition altogether. Sad.

I want to share one special card I got this year- and it was the first, hand-delivered on Nov. 30th. That should have been a clue... It's from my good friend Barb, who spent three weeks in Europe this fall, on a river cruise. She picked up this advent card in Germany. I had never had one before, and I have to admit- I looked forward each day to opening the numbered window to see what was behind it. I guess we are all children at Christmas! Thanks Barb!
And so, as the year draws to a close, I want to thank you all for visiting my blog, listening to my ramblings and leaving me your kind comments. I have made so many wonderful new friends through blogging and I treasure each and every one of you. I hope you will continue to follow the antics here at Stitch Lines in the coming year... God Bless you all!

Peace and Love,
Linda

Friendship means understanding, not agreement. It means forgiveness, not forgetting. It means the memories last, even if contact is lost.