Care Tactics

Obviously, you all know that I'm a super-hip techno-sophisticate on the World Wide Interwebs. But, while I like the emails fine, I still believe that nothing compares to getting an unexpected letter or a package in the real mail. So imagine my delight and surprise to receive a lovely little care package out of the blue from my Aunt Midge.

Inside, I found a very cute striped apron (right up my alley), and several little hand-embroidered linen cocktail napkins which had belonged to my grandmother, and two little silver ivy leaf dishes which had been my grandfather's. I almost cried (but like my mom, my aunt, and my grandmother before me, I am tough as nails, so I held it in).

The lovely little collection of gifts was wrapped carefully in tissue and came with a note that said they were, "items only a twenty-seven year old housewife could appreciate — they all require labor, either ironing or polishing, but I'm assuming you're into it, unless you are like Barbara Stanwyck in Christmas in Connecticut and the whole thing's a sham".

FYI, the whole thing's not a sham although my fastidious husband does most of the silver-polishing around here (and you should Netflix that classic). Thanks, Midge!

Shortly after receiving my mailed treasures, I saw a great post on one of my favorite blogs, Inchmark Journal, about some sunshiny care packages the author, Brooke, sent East from her new home in California. Wouldn't you love to get one of these on a dreary day?

It made me think of all the people on my life who deserve a little package of happiness in their mailboxes, for no good reason at all. I'm determined to find the time to gather some goodies and mail them out far and wide (but, knowing me, it might take a while). Until then, people I care about, you'll all have to settle for these little missives. Think of them as cyber-care packages arriving via electronic post.