Postcard Club
There have been moments of feeling disconnected over the course of the pandemic. While our household is a group of solitary creatures — we are bubble people by nature — human connection, beyond our sphere, is still a good thing. When the urge suddenly strikes to go somewhere or catch up with a friend, it’s not that easy. Impromptu hangouts were over, and making ambitious travel plans was anxiety inducing.
In the throes of one of those social itches I talked to my husband about sending postcards. We could send a quick “hey, how are you” to friends we haven’t seen in a while and were on our minds. That’s something.
Because when an idea is in front of me, it must become an involved thing, I then decided it should be a postcard club (simply called “Hi”). Why restrict it to people we know? How many people would probably love to get something good in the mail — something unexpected, something free — that’s simply a confirmation that humankind is still up and running? And what if the postcard could be from some other locale, because if we can’t go to it, it can at least come to us? AND of course the vehicle for this message just had to be an old postcard, because when I think postcard I think kitsch. We can’t make this too normal, is a permanent thought anchored deep in my mind.
Here we are now, 9 months later, and I’m still sending them out. The pandemic hasn’t ended, but thankfully, in many corners of the world, things feel more normal*, with travel and restrictions loosening. I still like the idea of sending and getting good mail, putting a smile on someone’s face.
Recently I cooked up something new for the postcard club with some brainstorming with husband. When your hand gets tired and you’re fresh out of new words (creative postcard fiction, who knew), STAMPS to the rescue. And I love stamps, so I look for any excuse to make one. The current round of postcards will include an original mad-lib style message, and I’ve got some other ideas for future rounds.
If you haven’t signed up head on over here.
*Nothing is normal.
