Simple pieces of thick paper — brightly colored — with words of warmth and love on the inside covered the archway between the kitchen and living room of my parents' home. It was December and checking the mail at this time of year always brought about a feeling of excitement. It was just possible that one or more envelopes containing these snippets of warmth and love would find their way into our mailbox. I would watch for the postman from the living room windows and then beg to be allowed to check the mail. Even though I had not yet learned to read, I could tell the difference between the usual bills, junk mail, and assortment of sales papers and the important mail: the Christmas cards. I would sort the mail and beg to be allowed to open the cards myself. Of course, I had to give them to my mom so she could read the message inside and tell me who the card was from. After she had read the message, I would bring her the tape so she could add this card to the collection forming across the archway. To me, there was nothing more beautiful in all the world than the archway filled with Christmas cards from people who loved us and wanted to remember us at Christmas time. When Christmas was over and the cards came down, the archway seemed barren without the reminders of those family members and friends who had sent their gifts of love.
I was so excited when I was old enough to begin my own Christmas card distribution. I would spend hours in the Christmas card section of the store, looking for the perfect cards. I wanted something that adequately represented the warmth and love that I intended to pour into these cards. I usually walked away with a large assortment of cards — probably two or three times as many as I actually needed. I would make my list of people who I wanted to share my Christmas blessing with and would carefully choose which card I wanted each person to receive. In every card I wrote, I poured my love and excitement about the opportunity to share my Christmas greeting with the recipient. To me, a Christmas card is a simple way of giving a gift to everyone you love.
Today, I still get excited about both sending and receiving Christmas cards. It is such a simple way to share a little bit of love with so many people. As Christmas approaches this year, know that for each reader out there, I would love nothing better than for you to feel the love and warmth of Christmas and my hope is that each of you receive the gift of God's love and fellowship this holiday season. The wise men gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrhh. To me, the greatest gift I can give to everyone is love and warm wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Deborah Secord, Ed.D.
Assistant Principal