A Box of Memories: The Joy of a Card

I get my propensity for memory keeping from my mom. Growing up, she made a photo album for every year of my and my sister’s life, as well as had several keepsake boxes for mementos like cards, coloring and school play programs.

When Mom came for a visit earlier this summer, she brought with her a shirt box with my name written on it.

Inside were dozens of greeting cards from my childhood. Cards with memorable characters like My Little Pony and Rainbow Brite, illustrations that are so reminiscent of the 80s and 90s, even a letter from Santa!

I loved reading the messages from my family members who now love on my kids with the same loving messages, and I am so thankful that my Mom took the time to save so many of these cards. It’s a wonderful glimpse at my childhood. My mom wrote on the back of every birthday card what the corresponding gift was – what a fun thing for me to read and remember. For instance, that $50 savings bond went toward a larger lump sum that bought Matthew and me our living room furniture when we got married, including the red couches you have seen in so many blog posts.

Adeline loved looked at the cards too. She spent a solid 30 minutes going through them this morning. Looking back at these cards, it is a reminder to me that when you give a card, it is something that will be treasured by the recipient. People love to receive cards. There is nothing like receiving a hand-written card in the mail.

I have a huge stash of cards that I keep on hand to write and send at a moment’s notice. The past few months with my pregnancy have meant that I haven’t sent as many cards as I usually do, but now that I feeling better I am back in the saddle.

Last night I got out a stack of Hallmark cards to write. Unfortunately, Matthew had a wood carving accident and had to be taken to the ER so that put a damper on my card writing. (Nothing some stitches couldn’t fix!). I’m looking forward to writing those cards tonight.

Speaking of Hallmark cards, did you know that for every five Hallmark cards you buy – whether at a Hallmark Gold Crown store or the more than 40,000 grocery, drugstores and supercenters where Hallmark cards are sold – Hallmark Card Rewards lets you earn gift cards, discounts, dollars off, and more from rewards partners that can help you enjoy more together time or even a little “me” time? Click here for more details about the program and the Hallmark Card Rewards mobile app. It’s such a great program!

Do you keep cards that you receive? Do you have any old ones from your childhood?