Each month I send out anniversary cards. These go to people in the congregation and represent an effort to support them.
In winter months there are just a dozen or so messages to write. In May and June the volume increases dramatically. It turns out that some seasons are more popular.
My timeline for mailing them ebbs and flows. There are weeks when I am on my game and post them ahead of schedule. I confess that other times they are late.
A few years ago a wife called to thank me. The extra credit she attributed to the effort still astonishes me.
"The card was beautiful! It arrived the day before our actual anniversary and I was impressed that you timed it so well. Reading it right before was a lovely way to focus our attention."
I fumbled a response. Considering the obstacles of changed addresses, inadequate stamps, and teetering piles on my desk it's amazing when they appear at all. The sentiment is genuine, as I hand write each letter. But the process of enclosing those good wishes in an envelope that arrives safely to its recipient is flawed.
It needn't be a reason to give up though. Finding a few minutes to offer someone's marriage happy birthday still makes me smile.
