My first cards, Tuesday, January 3, 2012

So, I sent out my first 3 cards today. I couldn't decide who to send the first cards to; should it be to
family or friends and then of those, who should it be?  I decided to send the first card to my friend
Debra. I met Debra about 30 years ago after I graduated from ECU in 1980. I got my degree in
Special Education and back then it was hard to get a job. So I got a job as an Aide and landed in
Debras classroom. She was truly the first friend I ever had who ALWAYS had a good word to say
about everyone. I never heard her say something to put you down under the guise of "just kidding".
That was new to me. I always felt better about myself when she was around. I am a better person
for knowing her. She gives freely of her time, her love and of herself. I hope that you have a friend like  Debra in your life. Better yet, I hope YOU are a friend like that.

 My next card was to my one and only Aunt. Aunt Kae is 93 and lives by herself in New Jersey. She is the most amazing woman. She and my late Uncle Charlie never had kids of their own. She was always so very supportive of me and my sister and was always there for my mom who raised us by herself.  We went on one vacation growing up (in 1969) and that was to her place in NJ. I never knew that I liked meatloaf until I had her meatloaf. It was quite the revelation to find out foods I didn't like at home that I liked at her house.  When I was a senior in college,she loaned me $1,000. I paid her back month after month consistently. When I finished paying her back, she sent it back to me. To this day, she continues to be an inspiration to me and my sister. She is a wonderful listener and gives great advice. I love her dearly.

The third card I sent was to Davids Uncle David who lives in Wilmington, NC. He and his late
wife (Aunt Kitty) welcomed me as part of the family the minute I met them (even though I wasn't
family yet). Every time I had to travel to Wilmington for work, they made sure I came to see them
and had dinner ready for me. I never knew my dad, so to me Uncle David was like the dad I never had. When Aunt Kitty suffered from Alzheimers, he went to visit her every single day. He never missed a day. I love him dearly and don't tell him often enough.

Here's wishing you a great New Year. Try to send one card this week to a person in your life who inspired you in some way. You will never know how much you will touch them.

Warm wishes
Annie