This year, I wrote Christmas cards for the first time in a long time. I didn't go out and buy anything fancy -- in fact, I had exactly a dozen cards which I had purchased the previous year during a fundraiser and had never used. I began writing them late one evening, although I think I only got through about half of them and had to finish the task the following day. I wrote to the first dozen people who came to my mind, most of whom were friends or people I worked closely with in various capacities. In each card, I enclosed a brief personal note, sincerely thanking each person for the role he/she had played in my life during the past year and wishing them a blessed Christmas. I posted (or in some cases, hand delivered) the cards and the following day, left town for the holidays.
Responses to my cards came trickling in via e-mail, SMS and phone calls shortly after. A couple of people shamelessly admitted they shed tears, and others remarked how much the words encouraged them. When I returned home from my vacation last week, those who had thanked me in writing made sure to make mention of their card again when we met in person. I was floored and the experience taught me one thing -- never underestimate the power of words to encourage and uplift. What I had intended as year-end appreciation surpassed my own expectations, and serves as a fabulous reminder how a few words can go a long way.
