The Days Before Email

My mom recently gave me a stack of old cards that she cleaned out of her stash. What a cool find!  Not only do they have a very cool 1980's vibe, but I love the variety of reasons people used to send cards.  I mean, "Happy Thanksgiving"? Do people still send cards at Thanksgiving?  I love it!  These cards have inspired me to start sending more "real mail."  I so vividly remember the days before email.  When I would write a four page letter on college ruled notebook paper, send it off, and start counting down the days until I might receive a reply.  Checking the mail each day was an adventure. Now all I get is bills, Blockbuster movies and the Buyer's Guide.  The occasional baby shower invitation sometimes slips its way in there which is like a little treat.  I think it says a lot when a person sits down and actually hand writes a note of thanks or encouragement.  Don't get me wrong, I love a full email inbox, but I also am nostalgic for the way we used to communicate.  So you never know when you might get a "Happy Thanksgiving" card from me in the mail!  

  

Where I am

I recently read a post by The Pioneer Woman that got me thinking.  In this particular post she compared where she thought her life would be when she was in college to where her life actually is today.  It made me think about the same thing.  

When I was in college:

Did I think that at age 31 I would be married?  yes

Did I think that I would have kids?  yes

Did I think I'd have a career in education?  yes

Did I think I'd be a stay home mom?  no (I thought I'd still be teaching)

Did I think I'd have twins?  no way

Did I think raising kids would be so incredibly hard?  no 

Did I think raising kids would be so incredibly rewarding?  no

I guess I've learned that it's good to be surprised by life.  I thought about what I'd change in my current state and my list was pretty short (reduce/eliminate debt, be able to travel more), but at the core of where I am today, I honestly wouldn't change a thing. What a great place to be at.  It helped me to realize that my day to day frustrations really are minor when compared to the bigger blessings in my life.  So my three year old is running away from me calling out, "Get away from me old lady!" (a line she picked up from a movie I let her watch).  I can deal with this (God, help me!).  I have to remember that where I am in my parenting and my career is not where I'll be ten years from now.  Just like where I was in college is not where I am now.  

Thank goodness for growth.