A thank you and a beer
We're a pretty communicative family, no doubt about it. Not only do my girls e-mail and text and call on the phone with chitter-chatter and pseudo tweets, they also mail me goodies. Real mail, snail mail, via the United States Postal Service.
Just last week I received a couple postcards -- not something I typically find in my mailbox.
First up was a precious thank-you card from Bubby. Megan's teaching the boy right and made him put pen to paper to thank Gramma and PawDad for his recent birthday gifts.
Bubby decorated the front of the card with stickers and special words. Megan translated, with Bubby's best comment of all -- for whatever reason -- being "Big banana. Eat it."
The back of the card was Megan's words because although at two-years-old Bubby obviously has the motivation, he's not yet mastered the fine art of thank-you-card protocol.
Coming in from the opposite end of the grandparenting/parenting spectrum was the postcard I received from Andrea last week. I'll let it speak for itself.
Front:;)
And back:
In her defense, Andrea did send a Thank You card last week, too, expressing her gratitude for the birthday gifts we gave her.
But it's the beer tour postcard that made me smile most because, c'mon, how many 25-year-olds share their drinking adventures with their parents? And think of dear ol' Mom and Dad while downing a pint or two at the pub? And actually fill out a postcard for them while there?
Like I said, we're a pretty communicative family.
Today's question:
When did you last send a postcard? Where did you send it from and to whom?
My answer: I actually sent a postcard just last week. It was part of my friend Amber's campaign to end breed-specific legislation in Denver (the legislation that bans pit bulls, like my Mickey).
Monday, July 26, 2010
Reader Comments (17)
I mean why not toss back a few and let the rents know! :o)
I got these hideous portrait postcards from school (I work at a school) and I decorate my face (on the postcard) with sharpie pens (I have been Captain Jack Sparrow, Santa Claus, and numerous others) and I send them out. I think the last one I sent was close to a year ago, to my sister. Postcards are so cool, though - I think we should all try to send at least one per month, to a person who would least expect to get a piece of mail that isn't junk or a bill.
I don't think I've ever sent a postcard to anyone from any place. It seems a bit like a pre-histioric
version of Tweeting, cute but not for the long-winded person I am.
I haven't sent a postcard in years, but my niece sent one to her dad last week. It was an old photo from Pikes Peak. I think I will have to send more if it might make someone smile.
Hi Lisa! I found you from 31DBBB on SITS, and am so glad I did! I love your blog, seriously! I'm not sure that I'm subscribed to any fun grandma blogs yet... and how can I resist with a name like "Grandma's Briefs"? It's just too cute, too clever. :) I love that you're getting mail from both your kids and grandkids. There's nothing like it, huh? I live overseas and so try to make it a point to send cards to all of my grandparents (who are in their mid-80s now!). They looove it and always write me back. My parents get more emails than cards BUT they always get a snail mail card when a thank-you is in order. I'm old fashioned like that, and proud of it! :) Anyway, this is turning into an email so I'd better cut it off here. Big congrats on your one-year blog anniversary too! Woo-hoo!
I haven't sent or received post cards in years. I should start doing that again!
Postcards are really a lost art. I honestly can't remember the last time that I sent one. But I actually know just the person I'm going to send one to.
I just found your blog from 31DBB over at SITS. Just stopping by to say hello!
@Andie: You nut!
@Kathy: I love your postcard idea! What fun ... and what a great way to use up those portrait postcards!
@Ann: But the grandkids would love them! Try it, you'll like it. Sometimes little tweets are okay. :o)
@Pam: I think they *do* make people smile. Like I said above, try it, you'll like it -- and so will the recipient.
@Adriel: I'm so glad to be your first grandma blogger! How sweet of you to send postcards to your grandparents. I bet it just makes their day! I agree with you on the printed cards for saying thank you ... although I have been known to send e-mailed cards when time is short. Thank you for the blogiversary wishes!
@Annette: Yep, you should. I'm a huge proponent of postcards. I used to send them to my daughters when they were in college, just so they'd get a little (literally) something in the mail now and then.
@Allison: I agree on the 'lost art' comment. Think of the lovely post cards of the past that are now collectors items. We need to revive the sending of the little snippets o' love!
Postcards are cool, but I rarely think to send one. We were in Germany a couple of months ago, and my kids bought tons of them! Kids really love sending them.
I can't remember the last time I sent a post card. I've become an all occasion emailer. Such is the curse of being a techie!
BTW, I loved the story of the anniversary at the hospital cafeteria. Yet more proof that it's the thought that counts and not the swanky restaurant!
I love BOTH those postcards! Good for Megan for teaching Bubby good manners early! And good for you that your daughters feel close enough to you to send you a postcard from a beer drinking tour. (And she didn't even get drunk! Double bonus!) I'm pretty sure that never would've crossed my mind to do something like that at 25.
I love postcards and a few years ago I decided that I would randomly send out postcards to my friends and family as a quick way to let them know I'm thinking of them. That lasted about a month but it was really fun. I think I need to start that up again.
(And THANK YOU for sending the postcard. It made me all kinds of happy!)
Ha! I love both of these, especially the grandkids. And PawDad? Adorable. We used to call my dad's mom "Mamu." PawDad is even cuter than that!
As for the question - I can't remember the last time I sent a postcard. But this was a great reminder. Now to see if I actually have anyone's physical address. Seems like everything is cell phones and email these days ... sigh.
I send lots of postcards to my grands when I am traveling because they love getting mail. I spent last summer living as a long distance grandma (for 5 months) if three hours away counts as long distance. It certainly counted for me. I had a really hard time with it and I gained a lot of empathy for long distance grandmas. When I was away I sent them all postcards weekly because I could. I am normally living just a couple doors down the street from seven of my grands. I found really cute postcards of the wildlife of the area and many others from the Navajo Nation that I picked up while there on business.
I also send postcards when I travel to my parents who are in their late 80's. They don't find them outdated at all!
Before I start this massive group reply, I want to let you all know that again today I asked Squarespace (my blog host) when comment threading will be here so I can reply to each of you individually after your comment, even if I do so many hours after you wrote. "It's coming" was the reply, with no date. I can't wait and will surely do the happy dance when it arrives.
@Mrs.Mayhem: It think it's great your kids picked up postcards in Germany. I bet they're beautiful. I find it interesting you didn't think to send any from there. Although I've never been to Germany and they're not likely as touristy as the good ol' USA, with trinket/souvenir shops everywhere.
@Asthmagirl: I'm glad you liked the hospital story. He's a sweet guy. And you are definitely a techie -- of which I'm highly envious (and you're one heck of a photographer, too!)
@Amber: You sound much like me, with great plans for fun things ... that fizzle out quickly. But hey, it's the thought, right!?
@Leslie: Maybe my grandkids can call me Mamu and my husband PawDad. That would make for an interesting couple of grandma/grandpa monikers! I love that! And I know what you mean about everything being in the cell phone and e-mail. I don't even know my own daughters' phone numbers off the top of my head, but I do know what memory number is assigned to each. Lotta good that would do in an emergency.
@Shelley: The wildlife postcards are a great idea! I should pick up some of them from my area (the mountains) to send to him in the desert. How sweet of you to think of your parents when you're on the road. I'm sure it makes them smile.
I haven't sent anyone a "real" postcard in a long time. That's kind of sad. I miss going to the mailbox and finding little surprises...maybe it's time I start sending them again. Thanks for the inspiration.
I am visiting from SITS... I am really enjoying your blog. The undies in the banner are killing me and I realize I may own a few of those babies. This post was so funny and sweet. I hope my children send me postcards from bars when they are older. I think? :-)
@Cynthia: Funny how we forget those little things that make such a big difference. I'm glad I -- well, my daughter and my grandson -- could inspire you to pop a postcard or two in the mail. Let me know what kinds of reactions you get from the lucky recipients!
@Kathryn: So happy to hear you like my briefs -- those on the line and those in words! :o) Yeah, I won't admit to which style of the panties are the ones in my dresser drawer. Postcards from the kids at bars are okay as long as they add the disclaimer like my daughter did about not getting drunk. Right? Ha!