CARDS CARDS EVERYWHERE ARE CARDS

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Would you like to know what 82 birthday cards look like?

I knew you'd say YES!

First, I put the cards in this box, but even if I smooshed them down, there wasn't enough room for my Christmas present to my (former) mother-in-law. I sent her a book by Billy Graham, which I can say here because she's not into computers and would never read my blog.

So I found a box that was a little bit bigger, and put in the cards. Ah, yes. Definitely enough room for the book.

I mailed the box on Friday, using priority mail. It's supposed to arrive today.

But then it occurred to me that MIL would open the box and not be terribly surprised that I sent her a gift, but she would wonder what in the heck was going on with these cards from strange people–no, not strangers; strange people, that's what we all are.

I decided to call her that evening and give away the surprise. I ended up glad that I did because when I told her, she seemed kind of overwhelmed and not sure what was going on.

As I explained that I hadn't given out her address or last name or even said exactly when her birthday is, I could tell she started to relax, and then she sounded excited that she was going to have all these cards to look through. She could hardly believe that so many strangers (not necessarily strange people, I guess) had taken the time to send her a birthday card.

She asked if I had seen someone else collect cards like this. I said, No, it just popped into my head as a way to honor you.

We proceeded to have a lovely conversation and to express our love for one another. I could hardly keep from crying. She's so good to me.

I also thanked her for the Christmas gift she sent to me. I'm not her daughter-in-law anymore. She doesn't have to do anything for me, but she does because she's generous and she wants to set an example of how Christians should behave.

I told her that cards continue to arrive, and I'll send them after Christmas. Since Friday, I've received cards from Middle Child, Karl & Leslie in California, and Minxy (not saying where she lives because maybe she doesn't want people to know).

So my MIL has 82 cards for her 80th birthday, and she'll receive even more soon. I haven't been to the PO today, and I'm not going anywhere near there till they're closed for Christmas. That parking lot is crazy.

Thanks again to everyone who sent birthday cards, or supported my wish for cards in any way.

God bless you all!


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug