Keeping in touch over the years
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (325983)
Rockingham, Australia
September 16, 2021 7:09pm CST
At one point, quite some time ago, I pondered on whether I should stop sending Christmas cards. I was sending around 60 cards and it was getting expensive for cards and postage. But then I thought that, if I didn’t send cards, we would lose touch completely with some very good friends.
The value in this was demonstrated recently when we built a lean-to for our caravan on the property of one of the friends we could have easily lost touch with.
When we first moved to a Perth suburb in Western Australia, we were neighbours with these people and became good friends. We even became godparents to their two girls when, as young teenagers, they decided to be christened.
Later we both moved to smallholdings and later still, around 2000, Vin and I moved to the Bunbury area. We only kept in touch through Christmas cards and the odd phone call. Now, we’re back to having much more contact with them.
They were happy to store our caravan on their five acres. We paid for the building but it will add a little value to his property when it’s time for them to sell up so it’s a win-win situation. It’s good that we kept in touch all those years. We’re all enjoying each other’s company once again.
The photo was taken about the end of Day 1 of the project which took 2 ½ days.
26 people like this
23 responses
@RasmaSandra (73570)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Sep 21
My mom and dad had a lot of friends and before every Christmas mom would write close to a hundred Christmas cards. The cards they received she would hang on strings across the living room so I could enjoy all the pretty colorful and decorative cards.
6 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
17 Sep 21
I've lost touch with most of my friends over the years... either due to the fact that they moved far away when phone calls were too expensive or we didn't think to exchange addresses... Who pays attention to an address when you just drive to see them?
There are even some relatives I haven't seen since I was a teen...
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
17 Sep 21
@JudyEv Yeah, it happens and you're left wondering after that...
The last time I was on Fb, a few years ago, I found the page of my school best friend. I haven't seen him since he left for college. I sent him a message and my email address.... (I kept in touch with his mom until she passed away a few years ago.) He still hasn't contacted me.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Sep 21
@DaddyEvil It's hard to understand sometimes.
3 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
17 Sep 21
I never did do many cards and have about quit completely. There are two friends that see me at my job and I hope once I retire we can spend more time visiting. I had friends from other states that I lost track of mostly because I knew them before cell phones came on the scene.
When out church does reunions I see some of them there.
It's good that you kept up with those you did.
2 people like this
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
17 Sep 21
I really love it when I received cards , that sounds old school to this new gen but I really appreciate those who spend time to mail greeting cards.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
17 Sep 21
I have by choice reduced my contacts. - family friends, class mates, office colleagues and even neighbours. I just cannot cope. We used to send Christmas cards but not any more. I only send videos of the parties I have had only to a few.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
17 Sep 21
@JudyEv I simply cannot cope now. There would be thousands if I made a list of all those who were in my life in stages.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (458583)
• Switzerland
17 Sep 21
I am glad you are back in touch with these friends of yours.
It happened to us, we had friends here in Switzerland that we only called for their birthday and some holiday during the 31 years we lived in Monte Carlo. When we came back to live here, we are seeing some of them more often.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Sep 21
Whenever we went to Perth, we always had so much to do in a short time, it was difficult to call in. We did have very regular contact with the daughter and her family as they lived closer and she would bring the kids out to see us from time to time too.
2 people like this
@sallypup (57999)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Sep 21
Spendy yes but I close my eyes and do it anyway when I send out another Christmas Tale to about 25 people. Its a real story, a real start, middle and end. Some of the people that get the manilla envelope are family and some are friends who have become family through the years. Its not cheap but its both a gift and a card, I guess, it could be called since daughter illustrates the Tale.
2 people like this
@sallypup (57999)
• Centralia, Washington
17 Sep 21
@JudyEv Thank you. Of course this gift is based on my ability to come up with another short story. Some years its a total yikes. This year its a ghost story based on a farm. Next year its deliquent kids and a Mall Santa. Fun times!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Sep 21
True - and I suppose it sounds a bit as though we took advantage but we've always had more contact and regular visits with their daughter and her family (our god-daughter). They lived much closer. Anytime we went to Perth there was always so much to do in the time we had so we didn't often call on the parents.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54411)
• United States
17 Sep 21
there is value in connection - i know over the years we stopped sending cards. But I try really hard to stay connected with people.
facebook, while annoying, really helps!
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54411)
• United States
18 Sep 21
@JudyEv it is, i wish it would do a better job in some ways but it is very critical.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
20 Sep 21
Christmas cards is one tradition that makes the yuletide season warm and blissful.
Thanks for reminding me about this beautiful culture of sending cards. I will buy some for my family overseas.
You have a good camaraderie with your neighbors. That is why they made you godparent.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
21 Sep 21
@JudyEv People choose good people to be their children's godparents. Your neighbors saw your goodness, that is why you were made godparents.
Will go to the bookstore and buy as many cards. The snail mail will take long, will probably have to do it now. Christmas is less than a hundred days away.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Sep 21
We were quite surprised when the young girls chose us as godparents. And, like you, I think it is nice to send Christmas cards. I often buy some on special at the end of the Christmas season then I have them ready for the next year.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325983)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Sep 21
@eileenleyva That's true - and many people won't have my new address so perhaps I need to get busy too.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57901)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Sep 21
I think it's nice when people can find the time to stay in touch despite circumstances and the like.
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (86774)
• United States
17 Sep 21
This is absolutely astounding..you two never cease to amaze me at your accomplishments Judy.
Oh yes I suppose it pays to keep in touch.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86774)
• United States
18 Sep 21
@JudyEv It is grand that you have them now Judy.
You may be saying this is the last, but I would bet otherwise lol
You may be saying this is the last, but I would bet otherwise lol1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95439)
• Marion, Ohio
17 Sep 21
I have stopped the Christmas cards mostly. But we cant even trust the mail to get things delivered on time anymore
2 people like this
