Aw Come On…It's Still Fun

We started doing it because, well, our parents always did.  Later it became the perfect way to let longtime friends know where we were as the Gypsy existence that is the radio business bounced us through seven or eight states and seventeen sets of call letters in forty years of broadcast bacchanal.  Christmas cards used to epitomise the season and, though it was always tough to get them sent,  the incoming tide of reciprocal greetings made it worthwhile.  The memories of good friends, their triumphs and disappointments experienced during the year rapidly coming to an end was as warming as any yuletide hearth.  Coming home from work to check the day's mail for new cards loaded with annual updates was nearly as good as Christmas Eve.  

Sadly. the whole Christmas card deal seems to have gone the way of, well, radio.  My kids don't send them nor do most of the people we still consider good friends.  I'm sure the Internet has had an impact, though getting an "e-greet" from someone just isn't the same.  Time constraints are profound but probably no greater than they were fifty years ago and, sorry, the "it's too expensive" kiss-off doesn't cut it in the age of $5 lattes and $4 gas.

Nope, this year I will once again send a newsy missive to old pals and relatives (who damn well better read them!) just to let them know we are still above ground and grousing about even more topics than last year.  We won't send any "in town" greetings as it always seems idiotic to mail something to folks you see frequently, however, if you're out of sight, a "not out of mind" card is on the way. 

I promise to continue to inflict all Copper Christmas card recipients with news of kids and grandkids, provided they continue to perform up to my slightly subjective bragging standards.  Also, this gives me an opportunity to catch up on neighborhood gossip as I hand my news stuffed letters to mailman Russ who is the pride of the U.S. Postal Service.  (The preceding has been a paid political announcement.)

So, please give it some thought this Christmas and join me in keeping the tradition of the Christmas card going.  It would make your mom happy. Whether it's the best of times or the worst of times, it's the only time we have.  Catch up with some old pals this year.  

You may get back some award winning dandies like these:

I have no idea who these people are.

"Sit on grandpa's lap?  No way!"

Christmas, it's all about family.

Some people do not fear self criticism.