The age we live in makes it easy to lose track of friends and family, whether they live near or far. This is rather shameful given the abundance of technology that ought to make maintaining such connections easier. As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed from something we all hoped would be a short, inconvenient stint, into a long, drawn-out torment, I realized even more of my relationships were becoming neglected. Despite my best intentions to be better about emailing and texting loved ones, each day would slip by without me initiating contact.
“I have enjoyed actually letting all of those people that pop into my mind regularly know that I truly am thinking of them by taking the time to write a note.”
During the height of the pandemic, I received multiple gifts of adorable blank note cards and fun-colored pens for my birthday. Naturally, I felt compelled to use my awesome gifts. It started with a few thank-you notes and then I caught the card-writing bug. Fortunately, my nurses enjoyed this new endeavor as much as I did, and therefore, did not object to playing the role of my personal secretary. Finding a new and different diversion was such a novelty, I found myself looking for further card recipients. It suddenly dawned on me that everyone loves getting fun mail, rather than bills or junk. I could kill four birds with one stone: put my fun new birthday gifts to good use, reconnect with everyone I had been intending to reach out to, spread cheer during COVID, and keep myself occupied with a new activity!
Though I am not sure if my new hobby is spreading as much joy as it has brought to me, I would encourage anyone feeling isolated to consider reaching out to loved ones you may not talk to or see often, and those you have drifted away from during the pandemic. I have enjoyed actually letting all of those people that pop into my mind regularly know that I truly am thinking of them by taking the time to write a note. I am enjoying the memories that have come back while I have been digging into the vault of wonderful people who have touched my life. Thus far I have managed to send cards to a few new recipients each week, and have only sent repeat letters in response to those who have sent return post my way. Eventually though, in order to maintain the steady outgoing flow, I may have to repeat the circuit, or search for new recipients elsewhere. After all, there is a large untapped well of family and friends overseas…