The Parable of the Potato

I just sent out New Year's cards. Today. March 4th. Goodness. I got them back in January but gathering addresses is a part-time job & motherhood is full-time. However, I figure it's great to get mail any time of the year! It reminds me of the parable of the potato I heard somewhere. It goes something like this:

An elementary school teacher received a lovely gift of a potato as a gift from one of her students. The student explained that she didn't have an apple to give the teacher but she did have a potato. As the days went on & the teacher watched this potato sitting on her desk, she realized a powerful lesson. That child wanted to give something but all she had was a potato. Instead of not giving anything at all because she didn't have the ideal apple, she gave what she did have. The teacher thought of how many times she didn't give anything at all because she didn't have the "perfect" thing to give. Or how she delayed her timing because she didn't give something when a generous thought crossed her mind initially & instead waited longer. What a profound lesson indeed. Part of me just wanted to call it quits to the New Year card effort because of the timing but I went on with it because I want to make the gesture to others. And I spent money on them!! 

I learned quite a bit from these cards. Our first ever cards of this kind sent out in almost 9 years of marriage! One being, even though I may be completely appalled by the "un"timelines of our New Year's cards, the gesture is still what counts. I don't think you can ever go wrong by letting someone know they are special & thought of. That's one reason why I love getting cards. I feel special! And that is one reason why I want to send them out. 

Another thing learned...I love beautiful things. I like to look at all things pretty from a wrapped package to a beautiful scenic view to my home (I like to decorate my home, it's true.) to a beautiful card. Thus, why I used Minted for my New Year's cards. I have always drooled over Minted's cards & I knew if I ever made cards I would use them. So I did. And they are beautiful. And they were expensive. So I didn't get as many as I like. And I couldn't send them to everyone I ever wanted. And as I addressed my cards I was so mad at myself! I wanted to include every special person to me but I just couldn't. (Or I didn't have their address.) I told my husband, "Thank you for letting me indulge in my dream in buying Minted cards, but I will never do it again." Lesson learned. 

I also learned that gathering addresses takes forever, so start early! If you didn't recieve a card this year, please send me your address because I want to include you! Especially since I will be hopping off Facebook & Instagram for the year soon, I would love to keep in touch at least in this way. 

For those who I wasn't able to send a card to this year, I am grateful for the many ways you have impacted my life & want you on my address list! I will be posting the New Year's letter & family pictures tomorrow. 

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